Free Folger Friday: Refugees from Pericles to Now (2015)
Free Folger Friday: Refugees from Pericles to Now, one of the Talks and Screenings at the Folger, was held in the Folger Theatre on Friday, November 20, 2015 at 6:00pm.
Shakespeare’s late romance Pericles dramatizes the courage and heartbreak of refugees from ancient times to the recent crises in Europe. The title character is the young prince of the ancient city of Tyre (in modern-day Lebanon). He is forced to flee for his life and travels through cities in Turkey, Libya, and Greece in search of a home for himself and his family. His dangerous journey reflects many of the hardships that displaced persons continue to endure including shipwreck, famine, and the forced separation of families.
In this discussion, Folger Director Emeritus Gail Kern Paster joined Charles DeSantis, Chairman of the Board of the United States Association for UNHCR, in a conversation on the connections between today's migration crisis and Shakespeare's Pericles.
In light of the timely connection, part of the Pericles proceeds were donated to the important work of this UN Refugee Agency.