Seminar


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



CORFU IS BEAUTIFUL, AFFORDABLE AND SAFE!!

CALL FOR SEMINAR PAPERS

TRAVEL WRITING, SPIRIT OF PLACE, & DISCOVERY OF SELF
1-6 June 2008

Access the CFP Poster in .pdf here

The Durrell School of Corfu will host an international seminar and writers' feedback forum on "Travel Writing, Spirit of Place and Discovery of Self" at its Library and Study Centre, 1-6 June, 2008, in the company of distinguished guest-author Jan Morris, OBE, and Dr. Mark Morris.

Greece, Corfu, and the other Ionian Islands have always been favourite destinations and subjects for travel writers and 'writers of foreign residence,' as well as for novelists and poets interested in the 'Deus Loci' and 'spirit of place.'

Lawrence and Gerald Durrell are the most famous travel writers associated with Corfu, but the island has a long history and continues to inspire writers of all types. Corfu's Old Town has recently been added to UNESCO's World Heritage List, and Corfu's praises have been sung by Homer (Scheria is traditionally identified with Corfu), by Walter Waller Wright, Edward Lear, James Chatto, Mary Stewart, Emma Tennant, and many others. The Ionian Islands more generally have provided the 'landscape of the imagination' and settings for books by writers like Louis de Bernieres.

In order to explore this rich history of imaginative engagement with Corfu and the tradition of travel writing, the Durrell School of Corfu will host a week-long seminar of discussion and writing, under the direction of celebrated travel writer Jan Morris and Dr Mark Morris.

Rue de Rivoli, Corfu

There will be two daily sessions -- academic papers and discussion in the morning, and creative writing sessions in the later afternoon. There will be plenty of time each day to take a break, whether to continue the discussion over lunch, explore Corfu's beautiful Old Town, or simply to relax with a chilled glass of local wine.

In addition, a particular highlight of the seminar will be the excursion to Butrint in Southern Albania, an ancient Roman city and archaeological site of great significance. For more information, see the Burtint Foundation website here.

If you wish to give a paper at the seminar, please follow this link to the Call for Papers: here.

We also welcome participants who will attend the papers, and participate fully in the creative writing aspect of the seminar. The Durrell School of Corfu is aimed at the adventurous and enquiring mind and we look forward to meeting you in Corfu!



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, "An Investigation of Modern Love" 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.'

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