Lev Parikian’s ‘Light Rains Sometimes Fall’ is an exploration of local urban nature through the prism of Japan’s seventy-two ancient microseasons.
From the birth of spring (risshun) in early February to ‘the greater cold’ (daikan) in late January, Lev draws our eye to the exquisite beauty of the outside world, day-to-day.
Instead of Japan’s lotus blossom, praying mantis and bear, he watches bramble, woodlouse and urban fox; hawthorn, dragonfly and peregrine. But the seasonal rhythms – and the power of nature to reflect and enhance our mood – remain.
In this event Lev will explore the idea behind the book, what he found on his doorstep in his year of observation, and ways to find nature in even the most urban of environments.
The cost of a ticket is £5, however if you need a free ticket or are under 30, please email [email protected].
About the Speaker
Lev Parikian is a writer and conductor living in London.
His five books cover a range of subjects: Why Do Birds Suddenly Disappear? is the story of his return to birdwatching after an absence of 30 years; Into The Tangled Bank explores our relationship with the natural world; Light Rains Sometimes Fall is a year of nature on his local patch; Music To Eat Cake By is a collection of essays on subjects given to him by readers; and Waving, Not Drowning is a lighthearted look at the mysterious world of orchestral conducting. Into The Tangled Bank was longlisted for the 2021 Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing. He is currently working on a sixth book, about flight in the animal kingdom.
Lev also writes a regular column for The Guardian’s Country Diary, has reviewed for the Times Literary Supplement and features for Bird Watching magazine.
As a conductor, Lev is devoted to the rich world of amateur music-making, and works with several London-based orchestras. He has also produced two CDs, with the BBC Concert Orchestra and the City of Oxford Orchestra, of music by Stuart Hancock and Roland Roberts. A particular highlight was conducting the theme tune for The Missing Hancocks for BBC Radio 4 with the BBC Concert Orchestra.
Lev was also the instigator of the popular ‘Twitter Birdsong Project’, day-by-day guide designed to help beginners unravel the mysteries of British birdsong.
Village Books will offer the book (which is normally for sale at £14.99) at the reduced price of £12.00, if people use the promo code BH170322. They can either come into the shop in person to buy it or go onto their website to buy it online and have it posted.