Supporters
Lifting the veil on the Middle East
FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY
Theatre 1
Time: 11.00am
Title: Lifting the veil on the Middle East
Speaker: Jonny Bealby
Company: Wild Frontiers
Arab and Persian culture dates back thousands of years and our fascination in these amazing destinations is as strong as ever. Come along and join our guides as they show their images and tell their stories of travelling through some of the most interesting and fascinating regions: Syria, Libya and Iran....
Syria: Bordering Turkey, Iraq, the Lebanon and Jordan, Syria boasts two of the oldest inhabited city,the fabulous crusader castle of Crac des Chevaliers and the mighty Roman ruins at Palmyra. We’ll also take a look at some of the unsung attractions - the thriving souks, Christian hillside villages, local hammans, holy rivers and desert camps.
Libya: Bordering the Mediterranean with an area of almost 1.8 million square kilometres (90% of which is desert), Libya is the fourth largest country in Africa. Home to magnificent Greek and Roman ruins, sites of prehistoric rock art and stunning desert scenery, it is a joy to travel. Taking in the pristine Sahara - from the rolling dunes of the Obari sand seas and the wind-carved formations of the Akakaus Mountains, to the great lakes and the ancient civilisations of Leptis Magna and Sabratha, fall in love with this magical destination.
Iran: Iran may not be the first place you’d think of for a holiday, but for the culturally inquisitive, Iran offers a feast of ancient sights, a rich culture, interesting and varied landscapes, splendid cuisine and very hospitable people. Here you will find a fascinating place to visit, old cities packed with exquisite mosques and spectacular madrassas, ruins from ancient Persia, nomadic tribes, hill walking, skiing and surreal beach resorts. From the highlands of the Talesh to the tea houses of Esfahan, this talk aims to lift the veil on one of the Middle Easts most misunderstood destinations.
