The Mediterranean from Braudel to the 21st Century by Dr. Henry Laurens

On March 2nd, 2011 the Ali Vural Ak Center for Global Islamic Studies was honored to host an international guest from the College de France, Paris, Dr. Henry Laurens (Ph.D. in Arabic literature, National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO), Paris). Dr. Laurens is an esteemed scholar of History, and presented us with a lecture titled “The Mediterranean from Braudel to the 21st Century"

The audience was filled with students and professors alike to witness the event. Dr. Laurens began the event discussing French historian Fernand Braudels influence on the studies of the Mediterranean, stating that Braudel “turned the Mediterranean into a real historical character”. The presentation spanned multiple generations of historical accounts, from “little ice age” accounts in the 14th century to 21st century accounts.

The historical accounts given immersed the attendees into the sea of events that have taken place, with flashbacks to a flourishing time of Mediterranean agriculture, then to Empirical conquests, through the devastation of World Wars I and II, and then to the current cohabitation of multiple religions and cultures.

Dr. Laurnes completed his presentation with an open question and answer session, answering many requests from students and professors on the Mediterranean and its historical adventures.