About this Event
Yunus Emre Institute London is pleased to host an evening with Nicholas Mackey on 21 November 2024 at 7 PM, as part of the Arts and Culture Lecture Series. In collaboration with Unicorn Publishing, this event will feature a presentation on Mackey’s latest book, An Irishman in Northern Mesopotamia: A Journey of Discovery in South-east Türkiye: A Personal Perspective, which delves into the rich historical and cultural heritage of south-east Türkiye, a region cradled by the legendary Euphrates and Tigris rivers.
Nicholas Mackey will take the audience on a fascinating journey through cities like Antakya, Dara, Harran, Mardin, Gaziantep, and Diyarbakir, sharing stories and insights from his travels. His work blends memoir, archaeology, and history, drawing from his daily journal to offer an intimate perspective on these ancient landscapes. Highlighting archaeological wonders such as Göbeklitepe and Karahan Tepe, Mackey’s talk will challenge conventional ideas about the origins of civilization, revealing new layers of understanding about these iconic sites.
Through this event, attendees will experience a seamless integration of travel writing, photography, and deep historical reflection, gaining new insights into a region that continues to shape the story of humanity. Mackey's personal anecdotes and encounters bring to life the vibrant cultures and histories that have shaped the land for millennia.
In addition to the discussion, An Irishman in Northern Mesopotamia will be available for purchase at a special event discount, and Nicholas Mackey will be signing copies. Proceeds from the sale of the book will go directly to support communities still affected by the February 2023 earthquake, making this not just a cultural experience, but also a meaningful contribution to ongoing recovery efforts in Türkiye.
An Irishman in Northern Mesopotamia: A Journey of Discovery in South-east Türkiye: A Personal Perspective
In this book Nicholas Mackey deserves great praise in helping to understand the importance for us all of overcoming differences and living together in harmony, increasingly vital in our troubled world today. This inspiring account of his travels is highly recommended. - Jonathan Shackleton, Antarctic historian and author
Enhanced by countless striking photographs, Nicholas Mackey’s account of his trip through south-eastern Türkiye opens a revelatory window on the rich history, austere beauty, and present way of life of this ancient land. Nicholas Mackey is a very personable writer, and seasons his narrative with apposite reflections on his own childhood and youth in Ireland. - Katherine A. Powers, former literary columnist for The Boston Globe
I loved the book, what fun and the detail and explanations are fantastic. A joy to read and illustrated beautifully by Mackey with revealing photographs ... that are thought-provoking and make the reader want to know a little more of these ancient peoples. - Homer Sykes, photographer
An Irishman in Northern Mesopotamia sits happily in that important hinterland between a literary work, a personal story and a guide book. It is exactly the sort of book a discerning traveller should carry in his Turkish backpack. - Rupert Grey, author of Homage to Bangladesh
The detailed content and splendid maps, with text punctuated by snippets of human insight, makes for good reading. Nicholas Mackey's unique insight into this little-known land is exactly the sort of book needed as a guide by the modern-day traveller wishing to go off the beaten track, yet advance on the works of Karl Baedeker. - Tarka King, author of An Irishman Abroad
For more information on the event, please visit Yunus Emre Institute London’s Website: https://yeelondon.org.uk/ or email us at [email protected]
IMPORTANT NOTES
Please note that this event is first come first served and may be overbooked. To avoid disappointment, please arrive early and secure your seat. If you have registered but are unable to attend, please cancel your ticket to allow others to join. Thank you for your cooperation.
Please be advised that filming and/or photography will be taking place at the event for the purposes of archiving, marketing, and all other publications. By entering this event, you consent to the Yunus Emre Institute taking photographs and videos and using them.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Yunus Emre Institute London, 10 Maple Street, London, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00
