|
|
|
Upcoming Lectures!
Discovering My Sicilian Roots in the Mountain Town of CammarataMonday, April 7, 2008Illustrated lecture by Professor Philip Zimbardo (Stanford) Professor Zimbardo writes: "Grandfather Philip would say when I asked of our origin, "Palermo, a little town outside." It took me 60 years to discover that little town in the mountains between Palermo and Agrigento, the beautiful town of Cammarata and its sister town of San Giovanni Gemini. I was featured on Italian TV program Super Quark, hosted by Piero Angela, one of the most popular programs in Italy, and soon young people from the town were contacting me to determine if I was one of them since there are 100 Zimbardos living there. I visited three years ago as the prodigal son; fell in love with the people, the town, the food and especially the children. They have a rich history, a vibrant present, but no future; unemployment is over 40%. So I started an educational foundation to give them hope in a better future: raising money for college scholarships, gifts of computers for the school and the city, and travel fellowships. I return each year as well to help organize mini conferences and to give out the awards to 8-10 deserving students. I will share this experience with you and with a series of photographs of this amazing village." Professor Gillian McIntosh of San Francisco State University, Department of Classics, will give a series of three illustrated lectures on Sicily. Got Myth? Monsters, Magic, and the Mythological Landscape of Ancient SicilyTuesday, April 22, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.It's All Greek to Me: The Social, Architectural and Intellectual Legacy of Hellenized SicilyTuesday, April 29, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.When in Sicily, Do as the Romans Did...Not: Exploitation, Extortion and the Roman Presence in SicilyTuesday, May 6, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Giuseppe Castiglione; An Italian at the Chinese Imperial CourtThursday, May 15, 2008 at 7:00p.m.An illustrated lecture by Chinese history expert and president of the International Chinese Snuff Bottle Society, Dr. Vincent Fausone, Jr. Giuseppe Castiglione (1688-1766) was an Italian Jesuit Brother and a painter by profession. Born in Milano and educated in Genoa, he traveled to China in 1715 and became the most influential and important European at the Court, serving three emperors in succession. He died in Beijing in 1766, having served the Emperors for 51 years. There were other Jesuits who were important in the Qing Dynasty, but Castiglione was by far the most important of them all. He invented a style of painting, almost unknown in the West, which incorporated western prospective with Chinese style. Throughout his life he remained a devout and faithful Jesuit Brother and constantly petitioned the Emperors to tolerate and show leniency toward Christians. He was not always successful, but when the Emperor Yung Cheng outlawed Christianity and persecuted other Christians in China, the Jesuits and especially Castiglione were protected and respected in the Imperial Compound. Castiglione was a real hero on so many levels that Italophiles will be proud to know of him.
Lectures are Free to members - $10 non-members |