Uncategorized – Page 3 – Blavatnik Family Foundation

Read Smart Podcast: James Shapiro – The Winner of Winners

Posted on May 11, 2023 (May 12, 2023) by Christine Ongsueng

The latest episode of The Read Smart Podcast is dedicated to the Winner of Winners, James Shapiro, who won the 25th-anniversary award two weeks ago today with 1599: A Year In the Life of William Shakespeare. Listen to Shapiro and Iqbal discuss the literary canon, the cultural significance of Shakespeare’s plays, and the Bard’s influence on contemporary politics. The podcast is generously supported by the Blavatnik Family Foundation. […]

Students Gathered in Central Park to Play the Adaptive Sport of Blind Baseball

Posted on May 8, 2023 (May 11, 2023) by Christine Ongsueng

On Saturday, May 6, students gathered for a morning of fun and excitement in Central Park, playing the adaptive sport of blind baseball. The participants ranged from ages six to thirteen and are students from Lighthouse Guild’s Youth Skills Program, which provides social and recreational services to legally blind children to help them build self-confidence. Len and Emily Blavatnik, say, “The Blavatnik Family Foundation is honored to support the Lighthouse Guild in its mission to provide high quality care and innovative programs for visually impaired youths, helping to build self-esteem, confidence, and a strong sense of community.” […]

Nominations for the 2024 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in the UK is Open Until 24th May 2023

Posted on May 2, 2023 by Christine Ongsueng

The nomination period for the 2024 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in the UK is open until 24th May 2023. Institution nominators should submit their nominations through blavatnikuk.smapply.io/. Please contact the Blavatnik Awards team (blavatnikawardsuk@nyas.org) with any questions about nominations. The Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in the United Kingdom celebrate the past accomplishments and future potential of the UK’s most innovative young faculty-rank (academic staff) scientists and engineers working in the three disciplinary categories of Life Sciences, Physical Sciences & Engineering, and Chemistry. Every year, one nominee in each category will be named a Blavatnik Awards in the UK Laureate and awarded £100,000 in unrestricted funds, with two Blavatnik Awards in the UK Finalists in each category both receiving £30,000. […]

The Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction Winner of Winners Is…

Posted on April 27, 2023 (April 28, 2023) by Christine Ongsueng

Congratulations to James Shapiro, who won the #BGPrize25 #WinnerofWinners with 1599: A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare! The book examines the life and times of The Bard, as well as asks the question: how did Shakespeare become one of the greatest writers who ever lived? The winner was announced by Chair of Judges, Jason Cowley, at a ceremony hosted at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh on 27 April. In the run-up to the winner announcement, special editions of the Read Smart Podcast were produced through the generous support of the Blavatnik Family Foundation. The six shortlisted authors answered questions and delved deeper into their books. […]

Read Smart Podcast: Winner of Winners Shortlist – Patrick Radden Keefe

Posted on April 26, 2023 (May 2, 2023) by Christine Ongsueng

The latest episode of The Read Smart Podcast features Prize Director Toby Mundy speaking to Patrick Radden Keefe, who won the prize in 2021 with Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty. Listen now to hear all about it. Radden Keefe and Mundy together explore the dark and murky methods of the Sackler family, as well as the consequences of the crisis that are still seen in America today. Detailing the story of 21st-century greed, the book explores the family’s creation and marketing of Oxycontin, a painkiller that was a catalyst for the opioid crisis that nearly killed half a million people. The podcast is generously supported by the Blavatnik Family Foundation. […]

Read Smart Podcast: Winner of Winners Shortlist – Margaret MacMillan

Posted on April 20, 2023 (May 2, 2023) by Christine Ongsueng

The latest episode of The Read Smart Podcast features Razia Iqbal speaking to Margaret MacMillan, author of Paris 1919, formerly titled Peacemakers, about how the book casts a new light on the negotiations that influenced the modern world. As the first woman to ever win the Baillie Gifford Prize in 2002, MacMillan explores the fascinating figures behind the peace process and what could have been done differently to avert World War II. Listen now to hear all about it. The podcast is generously supported by the Blavatnik Family Foundation. The winner of the award will be announced on Thursday 27 April at an event held at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. […]

Read Smart Podcast: The Winner of Winners Shortlist – Wade Davis

Posted on April 14, 2023 (May 2, 2023) by Christine Ongsueng

The latest episode of The Read Smart Podcast features host, Razia Iqbal, speaking to Wade Davis, the 2012 winner of The Baillie Gifford Prize, about Into The Silence, a book delving into the psychological aftermath of the First World War and mountaineer George Mallory’s fatal expedition to Mount Everest. Listen now to hear all about it. The podcast is generously supported by the Blavatnik Family Foundation. The winner of the award will be announced on Thursday 27 April at an event held at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. […]

Read Smart Podcast: Winner of Winners Shortlist – James Shapiro

Posted on April 6, 2023 (May 2, 2023) by Christine Ongsueng

The latest episode of The Read Smart Podcast continues the Winner of Winners series, where each of the shortlisted authors is interviewed. This week, host Razia Iqbal will speak to James Shapiro, who won the prize in 2006 with 1599: A Year In The Life of William Shakespeare. Iqbal and Shapiro explore life in Elizabethan England, how Shakespeare managed to produce four great works (including Hamlet) in just one year, and why the rumors that Shakespeare was in fact more than one person are false. Hear more to discover how and why Shakespeare became one of the greatest writers ever. Listen now to hear all about it. The podcast is generously supported by the Blavatnik Family Foundation. […]

Josh Groban, Julie Andrews & More to be Honored at New 42 WE ARE FAMILY Gala

Posted on April 5, 2023 (May 2, 2023) by Christine Ongsueng

New 42 will present the return of their annual gala at the Plaza Hotel, which will be taking place on Monday, June 5 at 6PM. The We Are Family Gala, celebrating how theater builds connections across generations of families and artists, will honor Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award nominee Josh Groban; Academy, Emmy, and Grammy Award winner and Tony nominee Julie Andrews and her daughter, children’s book author Emma Walton Hamilton; and Sesame Workshop, along with their CEO Steve Youngwood. The We Are Family Gala leadership includes Fiona and Eric Rudin, Emily and Len Blavatnik, and Diane and Marc Spilker, and Chairs Shahara Ahmad-Llewellyn, Sarah Long and David Solomon, and Gerri and Andy Sommers. […]