Orientalism at 30

It is 30 years since the publication of Edward Said’s book “Orientalism”.  It revolutionised academic studies and attitudes.  Have his arguments stood the test of time?   How do they relate to the present?  His underlying ideas are at the heart of discussion today about inter-cultural dialogue, the rationale of the Anna Lindh Foundation.

In London, and later this year in Istanbul, Orientalism is explored through an exhibition of British and French painters from the nineteenth century.  The “Lure of the East” is on show at Tate Britain until 31 August.   It then transfers to Istanbul’s Pera Musuem which is currently showing paintings from the Ottoman era.    The exhibition allows an exploration of Orientalism now and then.  In a linked symposium at the Tate these ideas were explored from an art historical context (showing how portraits were commissioned from British painters by Turkish rulers and used in political struggles with Egyptian rulers), from a gender basis (differing interpretations of the harem) and from a positive curiosity and willingness to engage with and observe another society.  A feature of the exhibition is the commentary next to each painting by a commentator from outside the arts world.  Robert Fisk admires an Edward Lear painting of Beruit, updates its location but sadly points out that even in the 1860s there was internal conflict.

 As the debate came up-to-date current issues dominated the intepretation of Orientialism.  Contemporary images showed that the visual image has the power and is used to convey strong messages. 

The Guardian has marked the 30th anniversary of Said’s book with a series of wide ranging and thought provoking commentaries.  The Anna Lindh Foundation’s core purpose is to further intercultural understanding and these essays give us pause for reflection.  

 

 

26 EuroMed films supported

 

 

 The Euromed Cinema project will support 26 film releases with a total of 378,400 euros with the aim of improving the distribution and reach of films in the MEDA countries and EU Member States.

The support was given as follows:
11 releases of MEDA films to be exhibited in the European Union
4 releases of MEDA films to be screened in the MEDA region
11 releases of European films to be showcased in the MEDA region
The supported MEDA films to be screened in the EU are:
Caramel by Nadine Labaki (LB/FR); Lemon tree by Eran Riklis (IL/DE/FR); Falafel by Michel Kammoun (LB); The band’s visit by Eran Kolirin (IL), Une chanson dans la tete by Hany Tamba (LB/FR), L’insoumis by Liazid Kammoun (LB), Le Sel de la mer by Annemarie Jacir (AP/FR), Bes Vatik (Times and Winds) by Reha Erdem (TR).

Support for the screening of MEDA films in MEDA countries goes to: Le chaos by Youssef Chahine & Khaled Youssef (EG); Je veux voir by J. Hadjithomas & K. Joreige (LB/FR), Fumée sans feu by Samir Habchi (LB/EG), Number One by Zakia Tahiri (MA).

Finally, support for the exhibition of European films in MEDA countries goes to: Son of Rambow by Garth Jennings (GB), La Zona by Rodrigo Plà (ES/MX), Happy-Go-Lucky by Mike Leigh (GB), Caos Calmo by Antonio Luigi Grimaldi (IT), Ben X by Nic Balthazar (BE), Captain Alatriste by Augustin Diaz Yanes (ES/FR/US), La masseria delle Allodole by P.&V Taviani (IT), La graine et le mulet by Abdellatif Kechiche (FR), Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi & Vincent Paronnaud (FR), Dante 01 by Marc Caro (FR).

Euro-Med University launched

A new Euro-Med University is formally launched on 9 June in Slovenia.    Based in Piran, on the Adriatic coastline, the University will initially be developed by the Centre for Euro-Med Studies. 

Universities and research insitutes are invited to become partner insitutions.  So far , from the UK, the Universities of Westminister, Cambridge and Bristol have expressed interest.

More details at www.emuni.si.

Details of the opening are at  http://www.euromedinfo.eu/site.168.news.en.4014.html

 

 

Journalism testing: legal boundaries

The University of Westminster’s Arab Media Centre is holding a one-day conference on ‘Journalism Testing Legal Boundaries: Media Laws and the Reporting of Arab News’, at the University of Westminster’s New Cavendish Campus, starting at 9.15am in the Large Lecture Theatre on Friday June 20th. Details and registration form available at www.wmin.ac.uk/arabmedia.