THE BRONTË sisters’ birthplace is preparing to mark the 200th anniversary of Emily beginning her life in the village.

The author of Wuthering Heights, whose 200th anniversary is being celebrated this year, leading Thornton before moving to Haworth to write a famous novel.

Now local artists, including primary school pupils, are preparing the Of Real Worlds exhibition at Thornton’s South Square Gallery – an exhibition that will be based on the life and work of Emily Bronte.

The writer was born in a house on Market Street on July 30 1818.

South Square, just a few minutes’ walk from the Bronte Birthplace, will be holding a “birthday party” for the author on Friday June 1, which will be followed by a two-month exhibition and creative workshops at the gallery.

As well as local artists, pupils from the village have been preparing pieces for the exhibition – highlighting the impact Emily Bronte continues to have on young generations.

The gallery has been working with Thornton-based artist Lucy Barker and local schools to explore Emily Bronte’s literary works, with pupils learning about the history of her family.

Pupils at Thornton Primary School have been busy creating stop motion animation pieces based on the lives of Emily and her sisters.

Working with Mrs Barker and Alice Withers from South Square, the pupils created their own miniature models of the Bronte family, and have been using technology such as iPads to create their own films to re-tell their history.

In the coming weeks Year 8 and 9 pupils at Beckfoot Thornton will be creating collages out of Emily’s poetry and writings.

Their work will be unveiled at the party, on Friday June 1, from 6pm to 10pm, which will feature live music, cocktails, art exhibitions, activities, DJs, a ‘Wuthering Heights participatory dance challenge’ and techno soundscapes.

Adrena Adrena will be backing up their artistic spherical projections with live drumming while Becky Marshall will be performing a techno soundscape inspired by Emily’s works. Dance artist Daliah Touré will be taking part in a participatory dance performance inspired by the Kate Bush song Wuthering Heights.

Following the party, the exhibition will run until July 27.

The event is just one of the Bronte 200 celebrations to mark the anniversary of Emily’s birth.

Over the “birthday weekend” the Bronte Society is holding a number of events, workshops and performances in Haworth. There will also be the launch of I Am Heathcliff – a collection of short stories inspired by Wuthering Heights.

From June to late August the famous painting of the three sisters will return to the Bronte Parsonage for the first time since 1984. Painted by Branwell Bronte, it is the only known surviving portrait of Charlotte, Emily and Anne Bronte, and is in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery.

l For a full list of events, visit

bronte.org.uk/bronte-200/events