AstrotalkUK

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Book about Gagarin’s visit to the UK in 1961

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Yuri Gagarin in London and Manchester

A Smile that Changed the World?

The story of the World’s first spaceman’s five days in the UK 11th – 15th July 1961

 

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Reviews

London Society Journal “This fascinating and well-researched book recounts the legendary Soviet cosmonaut’s visit to the UK in the summer of 1961 at the height of the Cold War, setting it within the context of scientific advance, the political climate in the UK, and Gagarin’s relationship with his political masters in Russia. A timeline is included, as well as much new information from personal interviews with those who met Gagarin, by all accounts a personally charming man who found himself in a difficult and charged political situation.”
Amazon.co.uk “This is a long overdue book.  The memories of the visit to Manchester are great, neighbours of mine were taken by their mother to see Gagarin and that started a wonderful conversation ‘down memory lane’. I am not sure why it has to be ‘London and Manchester’ – better to be Manchester and London. Manchester asked him over, London did not quite know what to do with him as they were in the middle of a cold war with Russia. To the workers over there and here, they were workers and amazed by what Gagarin did…..we had nothing like it here. I think it’s a great book.”

Colin Burgess October 25, 2011. This unpretentious but highly informative book not only reveals details about the hurriedly arranged visit of the world’s first spaceman to England, but gives us a fascinating insight into his personality. Gagarin’s own working life began in a foundry, so he found much in common with the people he wanted to meet, and subsequently got to meet. This was a time clouded in international suspicions, when the Soviet Union was regarded as the philosophical antithesis of the Western world, and yet this remarkably modest and simple man charmed everyone he met with his warm smile and friendly manner. His visit took place in less than a week, and yet this was a truly extraordinary and largely forgotten event that needed to be recorded, and has finally been accomplished in this fine book.”

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Gagarin Statue

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To mark the 50th anniversary of the world’s first spaceflight  by cosmonaut Yuri  Gagarin on 12th April 1961, a statue of Gagarin made in Russia was unveiled in London in on 14th July this year. The limited planning permission means it must move by July 2012.

Gagarin came to Britain because he was invited by the Manchester based Amalgamated Union of Foundry Workers. Prior to joining the Soviet air force, Gagarin had trained as a foundryman.

An online petition to bring the  statue from London to Manchester in 2012  is now live. Read more about this campaign and sign the petition here.

 

Episode 47:25th July 2011: Yuri Gagarin Statue in London

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A copy of the statue outside the school near Moscow where Gagarin trained in foundry workLinks to audio and video below.

The 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s UK visit was marked by the unveiling of an aluminium statue of Gagarin, an exact copy of the one outside Lyubertsy Technical School number 10 where Gagarin started his training as a foundryman. The statue, a gift from the Russian federal space agency Roscosmos to the British Council, is located outside the British Council Offices in London but only for one year.

This episode is a collection of some of the speeches and my short interviews during the three events on 14th July. They were the unveiling of the statue in the morning, the lunchtime reception at the Russian Embassy and the evening reception back at the British council.  So, in order of appearance here is a list of all the contributors in this episode

Unveiling of the statue ceremony was opened by

  1. Martin Davidson, Chief Executive of the British Council
  2. Vladimir Popovkin Head of Roscosmos (speaking in Russian but with a translator)
  3. Yuri Gagarin’s oldest daughter – Elena Gagarina unveiled the statue
  4. Derek Pullen who provides a brief description of how the statue came from Moscow to London.

Two recordings during the lunchtime Reception at the Russian Embassy where incidentally, Gagarin spent each of his four nights in the UK

  1. The Russian Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko,
  2. Cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev, who holds the record for the longest time spent in space

British Council Evening reception

  1. Nataliya Koroleva. Chief Designer Sergei Korolev’s daughter. Who gave me a gentle rebuke whilst looking through my book “Yuri Gagarin in London and Manchester” and seeing a photograph of Wernher von Braun and Herman Oberth but not of her father!
  2. The episode ends with Ambassador Yakovenko briefly recalling his recent meeting with the queen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Korolev’s daughter, grand daughter and great grand daughter

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Gagarin Exhibition – Royal Albert Hall 9th June – 4th July

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Poyekhali! Yuri Gagarin & The Dawn of Space Exploration

Photo Exhibition at the Royal Albert Hall

9th June – 4th July  at the Royal Albert Hall

This exhibition to mark the 50th anniversary of Gagarin’s spaceflight is hosted in the world-renowned venue in the heart of London. It is organised by Russia’s leading news agency RIA Novosti in collaboration with Science Photo Library.

The exhibition is already open and runs through until July 4th. For one of the most photographed man in his time, this exhibition includes some photos never before seen in public.

If you are going to the Royal Albert Hall for another event between 9th June and 4th July, you can see the exhibition whilst you are there. If not there are three slots specifically designated for the exhibition – for free.

Saturday 25th June: 11.00am to 3.00pm
Saturday   2nd July: 10.00am to 2.00pm
Sunday      3rd July: 11.00am to 3.00pm

There is also a rare talk about Gagarin from Piers Bizony, one of the  joint authors of probably the most popular biography of Yuri Gagarin :  Starman. The truth behind the Legend of Yuri Gagarin

The First Man In Space… And The Man Who Put Him There by Piers Bizony
18:30 on Sunday 26th June

The talk will cost £10.00 and includes a glass of wine and I hope some non-alcoholic alternatives too. The talk is also at the Royal Albert Hall and will include an opportunity for a private viewing of the exhibition for those attending the talk.