June 11

Events - Culture & Arts

1724day.year

Johann Sebastian Bach leads his cantata O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort (O eternity, you word of thunder), BWV 20, on the first Sunday after Trinity, beginning his second cycle, the chorale cantata cycle.

JS Bach inaugurates his second annual cantata cycle by premiering ‘O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort’ on Trinity Sunday.
On the first Sunday after Trinity in 1724, Johann Sebastian Bach led the premiere of his cantata ‘O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort,’ BWV 20, with the Thomanerchor in Leipzig. This work opened his ambitious second cycle of chorale cantatas, in which each composition was based on a Lutheran hymn. The cantata’s dramatic opening chorus evokes the thunderous majesty of eternity, setting the tone for a richly textured series of liturgical works. Bach’s careful interplay of vocal and instrumental lines showcased his mastery of counterpoint and theological expression. The premiere marked a high point in Bach’s career as Thomaskantor and solidified his reputation as one of the Baroque era’s greatest composers. The chorale cantata cycle would influence composers and church music practices for centuries.
1724 Johann Sebastian Bach O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort first Sunday after Trinity chorale cantata cycle
1892day.year

The Limelight Department, one of the world's first film studios, is officially established in Melbourne, Australia.

The Limelight Department is founded in Melbourne, becoming one of the world's first film studios and pioneering cinematic productions.
On June 11, 1892, the Salvation Army established the Limelight Department in Melbourne, Australia. It specialized in producing promotional films, slideshows, and lantern displays. As one of the earliest film studios worldwide, it experimented with new techniques in motion picture projection. The department produced documentaries, religious presentations, and some of Australia’s first narrative films. Its work influenced the emerging global film industry and demonstrated cinema’s educational potential. Although it closed in 1900, the Limelight Department left a lasting legacy on audiovisual arts in Australia.
1892 Limelight Department film studios Melbourne
1936day.year

The London International Surrealist Exhibition opens.

The London International Surrealist Exhibition opened its doors in 1936, showcasing avant-garde art.
On June 11, 1936, artists and enthusiasts gathered in London for the International Surrealist Exhibition. The showcase featured works by Salvador Dalí, René Magritte, Max Ernst, and other luminaries. Exploring dreamlike imagery and the unconscious mind, the exhibition challenged traditional artistic norms. Visitors encountered striking installations, including Dalí’s iconic Lobster Telephone and Magritte’s enigmatic paintings. The event cemented surrealism’s influence on British art and culture. It remains a landmark in the history of modern art, drawing crowds and critical attention.
1936 London International Surrealist Exhibition