By Üstün Bilgen-Reinart As an adolescent, I heard my father, who passionately loved music, discussing Verdi’s Otello with my uncle. I perked up my ears when I heard him say Otello was a masterpiece; the ultimate flowering of Verdi’s genius. At that time, I dreamt of becoming an opera singer, […]
By Üstün Bilgen-Reinart I kiss’d thee ere I kill’d thee. No way but this— Killing myself, to die upon a kiss. (V.ii.258–59) For insights into the great mysteries of life such as the workings of love and death, many of us turn to the masterpieces of music and literature. The […]
Dear breakers-out of cocoons, How to confront tough issues compassionately? This is a question that I keep asking as I prepare for our seminar and reflect on my own literary and actual journeys across cultures. Together, we’ll explore two books by two very different women, Egyptian Alifa Rifaat (1930–1996), and […]
So many things meet at the Bosphorus: continents, East and West, mosque and basilica, silk hijab and leather skirt, ancient ruins and post-modern skyscrapers, tribal sensitivities and nationalistic pride, complex history and a hope-filled future, 100 different tongues… May I tell you who I met up with on my recent […]
What makes a trip memorable? We work hard to create a deeply satisfying experience through a balance of in-depth discussion of illuminating readings, guided walks to immerse ourselves in the cultural and natural history of a place, generous free time, convivial company, and exceptional cuisine. One of the most memorable […]