Exploring the Cultural Histories of Emotion in London
Yunus Emre Institute hosts Tiffany Watt Smith for public lecture
May 12th, 2026
The Yunus Emre Institute London will host an evening with award-winning historian and novelist Tiffany Watt Smith on 14 May 2026, as part of its Arts and Culture Lecture Series. Centered on her acclaimed work The Book of Human Emotions, the event brings together literary scholarship and cultural inquiry, offering audiences an opportunity to reflect on how emotions are shaped by historical and societal forces. The lecture will conclude with a public book signing.
Tiffany Watt Smith’s talk, titled Making Emotions Extraordinary Again, examines whether feelings such as joy, anger, and love can truly be considered universal. Drawing on her interdisciplinary research, she highlights how emotional experiences have evolved across different cultural contexts and historical periods. By focusing particularly on the changing meanings of happiness and joy, she challenges fixed assumptions and encourages a deeper understanding of emotional expression as culturally constructed rather than biologically constant.
Hosted by the Yunus Emre Institute (Türkiye’s official cultural diplomacy institution) the event reflects a broader commitment to fostering intercultural dialogue through the humanities. By inviting a British scholar to engage with international audiences in London, the Institute positions the discussion within a wider UK–Türkiye cultural exchange framework. This approach underscores the role of intellectual and literary platforms in strengthening bilateral relations, promoting mutual understanding, and enhancing soft power through knowledge-sharing initiatives.
Beyond its academic dimension, the event highlights the strategic importance of cultural programming in global cities such as London. Public lectures of this kind contribute to the circulation of ideas across borders, supporting creative and intellectual industries while reinforcing institutional partnerships. In this context, the Yunus Emre Institute’s programming aligns with long-term diplomatic objectives, using culture as a means to build sustained engagement and dialogue between diverse communities.
Ultimately, the lecture demonstrates how exploring the history of human emotions can serve as a bridge between cultures, offering new perspectives on shared experiences while advancing cultural diplomacy through thoughtful, accessible public discourse.
