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Cambridge University Library

spittingimage

30 Sep 2023 – 17 Feb 2024Spitting Image: A Controversial History

Savage, grotesque, hilarious: explore Spitting Image, the puppet show that became an icon of 20th century television. 

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footlight

30 Sep 2023 – 14 Mar 2024The Footlights Illuminated

Who are ‘The Cambridge Footlights’, anyway? A new exhibition explores the history and identity of the world-renowned student comedy group.

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Past Exhibitions and Displays

Raymond Briggs: A Retrospective

Raymond Briggs: A Retrospective

Touring from the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, this exhibition highlights a selection of the illustrator Raymond Briggs’ most significant works.

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darwin

Darwin in Conversation

Discover how Darwin’s global network of correspondents shaped his ideas around the evolution of life on planet Earth

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Samurai: History and Legend

Samurai: History and Legend

Samurai are a well-known image of Japan, but they are as much legend as history.

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Ghost Words: Reading the past

Ghost Words: Reading the Past

Medieval scribes used to recycle old books by scraping the parchment clean and writing a fresh text over the top.

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Samurai: History and Legend

Previous Exhibitions

Browse our past exhibitions: from the Great Collections to Lines of thought.

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Upcoming Events

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26 Sep
The Really Popular Book Club logo

BOOK CLUB | 26 Sep 7pm to 8pm

The Really Popular Book Club: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Join our reading group to discuss Austen's greatest and best-loved novel.

28 Sep
Logo for Friends of Cambridge University Library

FRIENDS | 28 Sep 7:30pm to 9pm

Preview: Spitting Image & The Footlights Illuminated

Friends are invited to our Private View of Spitting Image: A Controversial History & The Footlights Illuminated.

6 Oct
Spitting Image logo blue

IN PERSON EVENT | 6 Oct 12PM to 12.45PM

Curator Tour

Join the curator of the Spitting Image exhibition, for this guided tour of the gallery.