The Tempest

A portrait of English playwright William Shakespeare and a speech from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" have been sent into space in a weather balloon to mark the 400th anniversary of the publication of his first collected works.

Footage of the initiative is included in one of six short films celebrating the four-century milestone by film maker Jack Jewers.

Inspired by Ariel's song in Shakespeare's tragicomedy "The Tempest," Greek world music act Savina Yannatou and Primavera en Salonico present "Watersong," a program of songs from different parts of the Mediterranean about the sea, the desert, life, death and magic.

A rare 1623 book that brought together William Shakespeare's works for the first time will go up for auction in April, Christie's auction house announced on Jan. 10.