India Farnham catches up with Andreas Wasmuht, Director at The Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution (BRLSI), to learn about its new series of Renaissance talks and why volunteering for the institution is similar to Pirates of the Caribbean…
Pictured above: Page from the notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) showing a geared device disassembled. Ca. 1500. (2)
Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Michelangelo’s David. Modern philosophy. Modern science. The first celebrity couple. The news. Welcome to the lengthy and star-studded list of ideas, discoveries and cultural products that owe their conception to the Renaissance movement. But what was The Renaissance?
It’s not an easy question. The broader Renaissance, which spanned across several centuries (not just the 15th century), across several continents (not just Florence, Italy), and affected almost every facet of culture, can be somewhat intimidating as a subject. Luckily for us here in Bath, BRLSI is on a mission to change that.
Understanding, together
Renaissance: Journeys of Discovery is BRLSI’s year-long programme of talks and events covering a period of 300 years (1350 to 1650). Launched in September of last year, the programme is now emerging into its spring series, and promises to delve even further into the boundless creativity and growth that the movement inspired with a new line-up of expert speakers.
Andreas Wasmuht has been volunteering at BRLSI for nearly 20 years, and in that time has chaired a number of key committees for the institution. Today, he is an elected Director of the Board, along with being a convenor for both World Affairs and Philosophy talks. Most recently, Andreas devised the Renaissance: Journeys of Discovery series.
So, to start off with, I ask Andreas what he would say to those of us who find The Renaissance, in all its glory, a little bit intimidating?
“I’d say go and have a look! Have a look at museums and art galleries, and of course, have a look at our series of talks at BRLSI. See what’s on offer in terms of providing real clarity on The Renaissance.”
And if it’s clarity you’re looking for, BRLSI has just the thing. Hop onto the Renaissance: Journeys of Discovery webpage and you’ll find a comprehensive overview of The Renaissance, along with a handy timeline outlining its evolution.
Why does Andreas think it’s important to have this information so readily available on the website?
“That was really just a case of providing everybody with an opportunity to have a baseline understanding. We want to make all of this information accessible because it has a big impact on how people see themselves and the world in general.”
A Journey of Discovery
Consider me well and truly intrigued. So, what can we expect from the Renaissance: Journeys of Discovery series, and why is it important to learn about today?
“Well, the Renaissance series is really trying to point towards the idea of a re-birth,” Andreas tells me.
“I think we are at a very pivotal point in society at the moment, from an economical and geopolitical point of view. It’s important now to learn from a period in history where we discovered a different way of life. The Renaissance represented an opportunity to start afresh, but to do so whilst taking advantage of the lessons from the past.
“Over nearly 40 different talks, we’ll be covering everything from world affairs to architecture to philosophy and science, and of course art and literature as well. Our series considers the full geographical scope of The Renaissance, and appreciates the movement as something that was influenced by cultures mixing.
“We will even touch on how The Renaissance came to Bath, through our Georgian architecture, but also through references to our city in literature, for example Chaucer’s The Wife of Bath’s Tale and Shakespeare’s Bath Sonnets.”
Part of the furniture
Andreas is speaking to me just a week before he is set to receive an Honorary Doctorate (Doctor of Letters) from the University of Bath (as you do), in part because of all of the brilliant work he’s done at BRLSI. How did he first become interested in this institution?
“It was actually my partner who introduced me to BRLSI; her father was a trustee of the Institution. I was very impressed by the range and depth of cultural content on offer there. So, I first joined to be a co-convener for Philosophy and to help arrange future talks.”
And the rest is history, I suppose?
“Yes, well,” Andreas laughs. “Did you ever watch Pirates of the Caribbean? There’s a character, Bill Turner, who gets physically absorbed into the hull of the ship. He becomes part of the ship.
“It’s a bit like that as a volunteer at the BRLSI. You start off with one particular role, and then you get so absorbed into what the institution does, and the contribution it makes to Bath and beyond, that you take on more and more roles.”
Bath and beyond
BRLSI has existed in our city since 1824, and in that time has helped countless members of our community engage in science, literature and art. It’s a total treasure. How does Andreas see the institution adapting, so it can continue to delight locals and visitors alike far into the future?
“Bath is a very special place and we will always be here to provide information specifically for people to turn up in person.
“But we are now doing much more to reach audiences in the way they want to be reached.
“All of our talks are livestreamed online, and then available on our YouTube channel shortly afterwards. In this way, we are able to share our work with the wider world.”
Is there a talk he’s particularly looking forward to?
“You know, I wouldn’t want to single out any one talk,” Andreas tells me.
“All of our talks build on one another. Your understanding of the world can always become deeper.”
There, it seems, is the real magic of learning. It continues building, allowing your picture of the world, and where we all come from, to become richer and richer. It’s infinite.
What will you understand better next?
Renaissance: Journeys of Discovery runs until June 2026. Explore the programme and book onto talks at brlsi.org
The next series of talks at BRLSI will begin in July and will be under the title Democracy Under Threat.