Description
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Event Description:
The Mediterranean Sea gets all the fame, but its adjacent neighbor, the Black Sea, is even more central to the early chapters of human civilization. Its shores were home to proto-Europeans: people speaking the early language that eventually developed into English and Spanish, among other European languages. Kurgan culture developed in the steppes surrounding the Black Sea. Later in history, Greek colonies on the Black Sea coasts co-existed with local tribes that captured the imagination of early historians: pirates, amazons, and gold-washers of the Colchis kingdom, where Jason came for the Golden Fleece. The English word “slave” also has its origin on the Black Sea Coast.
Home to some of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in human history, the Black Sea is becoming more popular with cruise travelers. With Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Georgia, Romania, and Bulgaria sharing these shores, the Black Sea has always been the contested geopolitical prize. Most recently, the Crimean Peninsula – changing hands since the beginning of history – was in the news again.
Led by an expert on the area, Dr. Nina Wieda, this Conversation will introduce the fascinating world of the Black Sea to its participants. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with increased knowledge about this ancient region and its role in human civilization.
This conversation is part of a multi-part series on Eurasian Culture with Nina Wieda. Each session is designed to be enjoyed as a stand-alone seminar or as part of a series.
About Your Expert
Nina Wieda is a native of the Caucasus living in Chicago, USA. She holds a Ph.D. in Slavic from Northwestern University and an MA in Nationalism Studies from Central European University. Nina also has experience in journalism, advertising, and consumer research – her writing has been published in three languages. She wrote her Master's thesis about the Northern Caucasus region. Dr. Wieda currently teaches at Northwestern University near Chicago.
Audience
This conversation is suitable for all ages.
Duration
90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.