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Petrol and the Poet - Dylan Thomas in Iran

07/08/2025
Low-angle view of tall industrial smokestacks and large pipes against a cloudy sky, with a few diagonal cables crossing the scene.

Join us for a one-day interdisciplinary event exploring the intersections of culture, energy, and international politics through a remarkable historical episode.

This event is jointly organised by the Centre for Transnational and Transcultural Research and the Centre for Historical Research at the University of Wolverhampton. 

  • Wednesday 10 September, 10am - 3pm
  • Arena Theatre, Wulfruna St, Wolverhampton WV1 1SE
  • Tickets are free - book here
The programme opens with a talk by Dr Andrew Webb (Prifysgol Bangor University), an expert in petrofictions and Welsh literature, who will explore the entanglements of cultural production and energy economies.
This is followed by a screening of Pouring Water on Troubled Oil, a 26-minute documentary by Dr Nariman Massoumi (University of Bristol) about British Petroleum’s 1951 commissioning of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas to produce a promotional film in Iran. Dr Massoumi will introduce the film and provide context for its production.
 
The event concludes with a panel discussion on contemporary petrocultures featuring Dr Anya Kuteleva and Dr Aidan Byrne (University of Wolverhampton), alongside our guest speakers.
 
10:00 – Light refreshments
10:30–11:30 – Talk by Dr. Andrew Webb
11:30–12:30 – Introduction of the film by Dr. Nariman Massoumi
12:30–13:00 – Film Screening 
13:15-14:15 – Panel Discussion
14:15-15:00 – Light Lunch / Refreshments

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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