Summer Exhibition

The Summer Exhibition is the primiere social event in Tulwood, drawing in hundreds of wealthy visitors. Starting Midsummer's Day and lasting 10 weeks, it is a city-wide celebration of art, science and discovery. Annual scientific symposia on a vast array of fields of study draw in the greatest minds from around the world to discuss and share ideas, and every public atrium, square and hall draws the most skilled artists from around the world exhibiting their paintings and sculptures. Nightly performances on every stage showcase the latest and greatest plays and operas, along with a wide selection of old classics. Poetic readings and comedy acts can be found in almost every establishment that sells food and drink, and the city's wealthy elite host musical performances and grand galas for those who wish to dance the night away.
Many of these displays are freely accessible by the public, and every labourer who has lived in Tulwood or served aboard a Tulwood ship for the past 6 months must, by law, be freed of their duties, with pay, for at least one continuous week during the Exhibition in addition to any normal time off stipulated by their contract so they can take in at least some of the many venues available to them. This law is a long standing grievance for those responsible for scheduling service staff of all kinds, as the influx of foreign socialites, scientists and artists makes the Exhibition a time of particularly high demand for all such duties.

History

The Summer Exhibition arose in the early days of Tulwood's existance as a free city. Several wealthy lords who had developed long distance friendships centred around their mutual appreciation of the natural sciences and portraiture sought out a suitable city to host a face to face meeting. Each could not risk inviting all the others to their own estates, due to political rivalries between their home countries. Eventually, Tulwood was chosen as a safe neutral ground, as it was widely considered to be too minor a player to be worth the effort of conquering. Seeing the opportunity in bringing so many scientists and artists to the city, the Factors' Council happily agreed to host their exhibitions. Held annually from the first Summer Exhibition, it was eventually proclaimed to be open to all those interested in the arts and sciences, both those engaged in such pursuits and wealthy prospective patrons. Ever since, each event has grown in spectacle, encompassing more and more of the city's many venues, until the present day Exhibitions where the event fills every available square inch the city has available.