This year is the bicentenary of Charles Dickens's birth, so there are lots of interesting celebrations, special events, exhibitions and cultural projects in Portsmouth, his hometown, and in London, where he spent most of his life. In Portsmouth, most of the celebrations will take place around the 7th of February, the day he was born, at his birthplace. In London, city libraries will take part in The City Read in April, when Oliver Twist will be read throughout the capital. The Charles Dickens Museum (just reopened) and the Museum of London will organise major exhibitions too. At the London BFI Southbank, you can also enjoy the Dickens on Screen Festival and at Westminster Abbey there will be a formal commemoration. If you are a big fan of this author but cannot visit the UK this year, the British Council has launched a Global Celebration as well. For more information on all these events, click here."A word in earnest is as good as a speech"
