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Lawrence Durrell and Corfu:
A Centenary Appraisal
20–27 June 2012
ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR PAPERS As part of the international celebrations of the centenary of the birth of Lawrence Durrell (1912–1990), THE DURRELL SCHOOL OF CORFU will host a one-week seminar. Dates: Wednesday 20 – Tuesday 27 June 2012 Venue: The Durrell School premises at 11 Filellinon Street, in the historic centre of Corfu Town.
Moderator: Richard Pine, founder
of the Durrell School (and now Director Emeritus), and author of Lawrence
Durrell: The Mindscape.
There will be three parallel elements:
A specific focus on the topic of 'Lawrence Durrell in Corfu': this will
concentrate on the biographical details of Lawrence Durrell in the years
1935-39, including the recent DSC/ILDS-published Autumn Gleanings: Corfu
Memoirs and Poems by Theodore Stephanides and the biography of Nancy
Myers-Durrell-Hodgkin by her daughter Joanna Hodgkin-Hines, Amateurs in
Eden (to be published by Virago in
early 2012), as well as the established biographies by Ian MacNiven and
Gordon Bowker, and
Brewster Chamberlin's
Chronology.
The defining experience of Corfu in the life of Gerald Durrell will also be
celebrated with particular reference to his portrayal of Lawrence in
The Corfu Trilogy.
This topic will address the work achieved by Durrell in the years 1935-39,
including the composition of two novels,
Panic Spring
and
The Black Book,
and his memoir,
Prospero's Cell,
which
was compiled from notes assembled during the Corfu years. Additionally, the
crucial evidence that Durrell mapped out his life's work as a novelist while
living in Corfu will be assessed.
Included in this part of the seminar will be a study session at Kalami,
where Durrell and his wife Nancy lived for most of their years in Corfu.
Visits to one or more of the villas where Durrell and his wife lived
occasionally with the rest of his family will be arranged if possible. An assessment of Lawrence Durrell:
On a more general level, the seminar will also attempt an assessment of
Lawrence Durrell as a writer under the headings: novels, poetry, drama,
travel writing. One hundred years after his birth, and over twenty
years after his death, what is the basis of his literary reputation? Is he
likely to be remembered
principally for The Alexandria Quartet,
or are his other novels (particularly
Tunc/Nunquam
and
The
Avignon Quintet) also
candidates for inclusion in his permanent canon? Lawrence Durrell and his Literary Contexts:
This element of the seminar will provide an opportunity for participants to
discuss Durrell's work in the period 1935-65 in the context of other writers
such as Olivia Manning, Kate O'Brien, Stratis Tsirkas, George Seferis, Anais
Nin and Henry Miller. Book launches
The programme will include launches of three books: James Nichol'’s The
Stronger Sex: The Fictional Women of Lawrence Durrell (Fairleigh
Dickinson University Press, 2011), Joanna Hines's Amateurs in Eden
(Virago, 2012), and Eve Patten's Imperial Refugee: Olivia Manning's
Fictions of War (Cork University Press, 2012). Day trip to Butrint
In addition to the excursions mentioned in (1) above, there will also be an
optional daytrip to Butrint, Albania, a
spectacular archaeological site in a beautiful setting, and one of the major
archaeological sites of the Adriatic region.
PROPOSALS
PUBLICATION.
It is intended that a selection of the papers will be published either in
the Durrell School Proceedings or as an independent volume.
THOSE WISHING TO ATTEND WITHOUT PRESENTING A PAPER
should complete Section A of the Application Form on the next page (plus
Section C if you are also applying for a Scholarship: see below), and send
it to Anthony Hirst ([email protected])
with a copy to the Durrell School ([email protected]).
There is no deadline for such applications, unless you are also applying for
a scholarship.
THE REGISTRATION FEE
of 300 euros will include participation in all academic
sessions, the welcome reception, transport to Kalami and lunch at The White
House, other excursions on Corfu, and the farewell dinner opap casino. There will be an
additional charge for the optional day-trip to Butrint.
TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION.
Unfortunately the Durrell School cannot be responsible for any costs
associated with travel or accommodation (except in the cases of those
eligible for Scholarships), but will support applications for funding to
academic institutions or other bodies. The authors of accepted proposals
will be asked to provide assurance that they have secured adequate funding
to enable them to attend the seminar.
You may write to the Durrell School ([email protected])
for advice on hotels or travel arrangements, or contact the Durrell School's
collaborators Aperghi Travel and Tourism through their website (www.aperghitravel.gr).
Travel and accommodation advice on the Durrell School website (www.durrell-school-corfu.org)
will be updated soon. When booking a hotel, it is important to choose one
inside - or within walking distance of - the historic centre of Corfu Town,
as you will not necessarily find bus services operating at the times you
need them, if you stay outside the town.
SCHOLARSHIPS.
A limited number of scholarships is available, with priority given to
students and the unwaged, and especially to students from the Balkan region
or southern Europe more generally. At a minimum, scholarships will cover the
registration fee, but may be extended to contribute towards travel and
accommodation costs. To be considered for a Scholarship you should complete
Sections A and C of the Application Form (plus Section B if
you also want to offer a paper: see "Proposals" above), and send it to
Anthony Hirst ([email protected])
with a copy to the Durrell
School ([email protected])
to reach us no later than
Monday 16 January 2012.
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