Shrine of Saint Arsenius

The Durrell School of Corfu opens each annual session with a symposium that examines themes of importance to the Durrells and to our world. The first symposium in 2002 took "Understanding Misunderstanding" as its central theme and it included distinguished leaders in politics, economics, the arts and environmental studies among its participants.

Keynote speakers and Moderators have included: Gayatry Chakravorty Spivak, Lee Durrell from the Durrell World Wildlife Trust, internationally acclaimed ecologist and botanist David Bellamy, Harish Trivedi, Terry Eegleton, and Aaron Jaffe.

Previous participants have included: John Brandon of the Asia Foundation; Elemer Hankiss, dean of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences; Marwan Bishara from the American Univerisity of Paris; and the environmentalist David Bellamy.

The Venetian Winged Lion

CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS

THE AMATEUR NATURALIST
14-19 September 2008
An Ecology week with
David Bellamy & Lee Durrell

Booking form in .pdf here (includes accommodations)
Access the Poster in .pdf here


"Corfu is the garden of the gods."

The Durrell School of Corfu is based on the Greek Ionian island where both Lawrence and Gerald Durrell spent several years living and writing and coined the well used statement that Corfu is the garden of the gods. This seminar is aimed at amateur naturalists, of any age, who want an introduction to the natural world from leading experts in the field: David Bellamy and Lee Durrell. The programme is designed to be suitable for advanced amateurs who want to learn about the world of Gerald Durrell's My Family and Other Animals as well as for children and family groups developing a deeper sense of the ecological variety of the natural world.

The Durrell School of Corfu offers a variety of activities, ranging from a series week-long seminars to excursions that explore the rich cultural history of the Mediterranean basin. This September two of the founding patrons of the school are leading an ecology week - Lee Durrell and David Bellamy will focus on the life and work of Gerry. This will held in Corfu between 14th-19th September 2008. Accommodations are included in the registration at the Pontikonissi Hotel facing Mouse Island, Kanoni, and Gerald Durrell's checkerboard fields.

David Bellamy, Perama

Gerald Durrell in his most iconic book My Family and Other Animals, remarked "If I had the power of magic, I would confer two gifts on every child the enchanted childhood I had on the island of Corfu, and to be guided and befriended by Theodore Stephanides". The late Theodore Stephanides is no longer here to guide us, but The Durrell School will place up a plaque in Corfu Town this year at the time of the seminar, and the first publication of Stephnanides' memoirs will coincide. Instead of Stephanides, we are delighted to have David Bellamy as our guide. David Bellamy, who also helped in the early days of establishing the Jersey Zoo, and is a frequent visitor to Corfu, will give his usual exuberant walks in Gerald Durrell's footsteps, hi-lighting appreciation and changes in the nature of this well loved countryside.

Gerald's widow Lee, who now runs the Jersey Wildlife Trust, which she and Gerry originally founded, is known for her conservation work in leading programmes to save endangered species. Lee remembers Gerald often saying: "he wished every child could experience his upbringing on Corfu", where his classrooms were flower-filled olive groves and his daily lessons the study of "the little ones of God" Ð the animals. It is these words that have inspired the seminar in which it is hoped that young and old alike will take part in this symposium, not only to open their senses to the natural world, as Gerry encouraged us to do in The Amateur Naturalist, but also to understand why an appreciation of nature is so vitally important in the world today.

"The Amateur Naturalist" will be a week-long adventure combining talks from eminent speakers. In addition to Lee and David, we anticipate that early adventurers who participated in capturing endangered species in both Gerald's time and now, as well as leaders of conservation projects, will enlighten the audience on the difficulties and dangers of conservation.

The beautiful island of Corfu will offer exciting field trips, where the wild life can be experienced under the guiding hand of both local and international experts. If time allows a trip to the mainland or Albania will also add a dimension to what should be a very exiting week for all ages.

Included in the week will be presentations from students who will have won their place on this event through a conservation competition, which is currently taking place under the supervision of Lee Durrell.

Gerald Durrell is quoted as saying when he first arrived in Corfu:

"It was like being allowed back into Paradise", he whispered. "Our arrival in Corfu was like being born for the first time."

We hope that this will be the sentiments of those joining the Durrell School this September.

Disclaimer and Release of All Liability
When registering please copy, sign and return a copy of the text below. This will be included in registration materials and correspondence with participants. The DSC recommends participants have appropriate travel insurance for the EU:

'For and in consideration of being allowed to participate in the Durrell School of Corfu Seminar, "The Amateur Naturalist" and associated optional excursions, I agree to release and hold harmless the Durrell School of Corfu, its staff, its Board of Directors and the seminar organizers from any and all liability which might be incurred by them during these activities. I have taken steps to ensure that my physical condition allows me to participate. I assume all responsibilities for myself, and I am participating at my own risk. I have taken out appropriate medical insurance which includes repatriation cover and (if a national of a member state of the EU) I have obtained my EU Health Card.'