This December, join us for our popular bilingual format, featuring fascinating talks in either English or German. This time we’re tackling huge narrative challenges: an almost-forgotten martyr, an extremely well-loved superstar, and a massive on-screen enigma.
As ever, you can expect a charming audience and a warm and entertaining atmosphere.
PRINCESS CLAIRA “KALAALA” NAUMANSI (c. 1862-1888) was the elder sister of Kabaka (King) Mwanga II and, by most accounts, the Kingdom of Buganda's first recorded woman Christian martyr. The favourite child of Kabaka Muteesa I, she defied the royal customs that confined women – a defiance that helped reshape Ugandan culture and expand what a woman could be and do. Though she remains uncanonised, her legacy endures.
DOLLY PARTON (1946-2026) was known as the Queen of Country Music. She went from a childhood performer living in a two-room Tennessee cabin to selling more than a hundred million records. She acted in groundbreaking movies, gave generously to philanthropic causes, and opened her own theme park. Dolly’s work in promoting literacy and funding a COVID vaccine changed almost as many lives as her songs. No one knows precisely how many wigs she had – but she joked to RuPaul that it was at least 365.
MARLENE DIETRICH (1901-1992) left Berlin for Hollywood in 1930, having begun a flourishing screen career while embracing the city’s queer culture. Iconic movie appearances saw her embodying the mysterious femme fatale, to great success. She renounced her German citizenship in 1939 and entertained millions of Allied troops during WWII. Marlene then pivoted to cabaret, mesmerising live audiences. She spent her later years bedridden in Paris – but still speaking to world leaders by telephone.
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