An Encounter with Gertrude Bell
Such was the popularity of this Ledbury Poetry Festival event, all tickets for 'Gertrude Bell' sold out in record time, requiring the hasty organisation of a second session in the same evening, which also sold out. Guests arriving at Ledbury Maps and books shop at the Homend of the Town were greeted by the playing of middle- eastern music, Shiraz wine, pomegranate and apricot juice and Persian titbits arranged on platters served on a William Morris designed cloth. All these elements woven together were a prelude to the story of Gertrude Bell whose Philip Webb designed arts and crafts style homes were decorated with William Morris wall hangings and Durham carpets; whilst the Persian element stems from her famous translations of Divan of Hafiz, Iran’s most revered poet. Information sheets were handed out and Dr Richard Long welcomed those attending, speaking in both Persian and English. Local poet Sara-Jane Arbury, read selected texts and poems, interleaved by Jan Long, historian and authority on Gertrude Bell, revealing the story of this extraordinary heroine and her magnificent achievements particularly with the formation of a monarchy and boundaries of modern day Iraq, through to her demise in mysterious circumstances. The melange of sensual passion, tragedy, love and loss, but with warmth and humour ensured the meeting of cultures successfully spanned East and West.
Jan Long
Such was the popularity of this Ledbury Poetry Festival event, all tickets for 'Gertrude Bell' sold out in record time, requiring the hasty organisation of a second session in the same evening, which also sold out. Guests arriving at Ledbury Maps and books shop at the Homend of the Town were greeted by the playing of middle- eastern music, Shiraz wine, pomegranate and apricot juice and Persian titbits arranged on platters served on a William Morris designed cloth. All these elements woven together were a prelude to the story of Gertrude Bell whose Philip Webb designed arts and crafts style homes were decorated with William Morris wall hangings and Durham carpets; whilst the Persian element stems from her famous translations of Divan of Hafiz, Iran’s most revered poet. Information sheets were handed out and Dr Richard Long welcomed those attending, speaking in both Persian and English. Local poet Sara-Jane Arbury, read selected texts and poems, interleaved by Jan Long, historian and authority on Gertrude Bell, revealing the story of this extraordinary heroine and her magnificent achievements particularly with the formation of a monarchy and boundaries of modern day Iraq, through to her demise in mysterious circumstances. The melange of sensual passion, tragedy, love and loss, but with warmth and humour ensured the meeting of cultures successfully spanned East and West.
Jan Long
