- DURATION 1 hr
Event Description
Recently published 'When Dreams Collide' is Nicholas Allan’s intimate pilgrimage across the former states of Yugoslavia. Shedding the received knowledge of headlines, he explored the splintered co-evolution of these lands over the last ten centuries, guided by the inimitable Rebecca West’s masterpiece, 'Black Lamb and Grey Falcon'.
Written 80 years in the past, West’s account serves as a fascinating reference for the optimistic interwar years of the 20th century between the Ottoman decline and the Nazi onset. The evolving balancing act of Tito’s Yugoslav experiment and the atrocities following its break-up were still to come.
Collapsing empires and proud young nations, monasteries and mosques, brotherhood, hatred, war, music, frescoes, food, costume, people, mountains, rivers and seas, the distant rumbles of the centuries take many forms.
Allan will give a sense of the complexity of the area, showing its evolution with particular reference to three places and three historical figures. He will also show some of the parallels between the breakup of Yugoslavia and current events in Ukraine. His own part Eastern European heritage adds additional light to his thoughts on the region’s history, art, politics and religion (too often one and the same).
- Duration: 1 hr
- Online Zoom event: Join from your computer, phone or tablet (no replay available)
Meet the Host, Nick Allen
After graduating from Cambridge in the History and Philosophy of Science, Nicholas Allan spent thirty years working in finance. For much of this time he was travelling, with long spells in each of Asia, London and the US. His main business interest now is in Indian hotels.
He has a deep love of music. Formerly Deputy Chair of the English National Opera, he is the Chair of the National Opera Studio, Britain’s leading operatic training organisation. He is also involved in a number of local charities around Devon, where he lives with his wife Sarah. They have four children and two grandchildren.
In his spare time he enjoys walking in the hills, singing and cryptic crosswords.
Preparing for the Event
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We also recommend that pets are either calmly sitting on your lap or in another room, and any refreshments you may require are within your reach!
More Information
What if I can’t make the event?
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Will my camera be on and will I be visible to the other people?
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How do I sign-up for and access the recording? (Recorded events only)
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