The Bicentenary of Percy Bysshe Shelley’s Death in Italy - 8 July 2022

An online global event presented by the Keats-Shelley House, Rome and the Keats-Shelley Association of America and featuring film director Jane Campion and actor Julian Sands.

The event will examine the life, death, and legacy of the English Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, who drowned off the coast of Italy 200 years ago while sailing from Livorno to Lerici. His ashes were later interred at the Non-Catholic Cemetery in Rome, where poet John Keats is also buried.

Shelley’s memory is preserved in the work of the Keats-Shelley House in Rome, a museum which houses many manuscripts, relics, and art works related to the poet and overseen by UK charity the Keats-Shelley Memorial Association, and through the academic outreach of the Keats-Shelley Association of America.

The event will take place in a specially created virtual Keats-Shelley House and will be presented by Professor Neil Fraistat and Dr Anna Mercer of the Keats-Shelley Association of America, and Dr Giuseppe Albano, Curator of the Keats-Shelley House.

Part 1 – The Triumph of Life: A global reading of Shelley’s last, unfinished poem in fourteen languages read by readers from different locations around the world. The reading will be led by two-time Academy Award-winning film director and Keats-Shelley200 Ambassador Dame Jane Campion. 

Part 2 – A Round Table discussion on the theme of Shelley’s last days bringing together scholars of the poet’s life and work. The discussion will cover Shelley’s life, work, thought, his relationships with Byron and Leigh Hunt, and the intertwining legacy he shares with John Keats.  The panelists comprise Dr Serena Baiesi, Professor Nora Crook, Dr Mathelinda Nagubodi, Professor Andrew Stauffer, and Professor Fernando Valverde. The discussion will be moderated by Professor Neil Fraistat, Dr Anna Mercer, and Dr Giuseppe Albano. 

Part 3 – Premiere of The Last Days of Shelley, a video story with immersive sound featuring the voice of actor and Keats-Shelley200 Ambassador Julian Sands and produced by 313 film production and directed by Giulio Boato. This short film follows Shelley in Rome, released in December 2021, and is best experienced with headphones. Running time circa 90 minutes.

Pre-registration essential by contacting info@keats-shelley-house.org