The sun had gone down and it had started to drizzle, as we rushed our way through the doors of the Mosaic Rooms, we were transported back to the Ottoman era for an evening of readings by the author Ted Gorton from his book Renaissance Emir: A Druze Warlord at the Court of the Medici, interlaced with musical pieces, curated by Rachel Beckles Wilson, reminiscent of the era.
Set in the 17th century, the book covers the life of Fakhr ad-Din, a druze prince, and his exile from Mount Lebanon to Tuscany, with sojourns in Sicily and Naples.
The cultural encounters and exchanges are recollected in this historical scholarly book that reads like a novel. Religious strife, money, power all play their part in the Emir’s life. Ted Gorton’s book shed’s light behind the Emir’s apparent tolerance and openness to many religions, which, as Gorton conveys, “in any age, that is a noble quality (…)” (2013:181).
Set in the 17th century, the book covers the life of Fakhr ad-Din, a druze prince, and his exile from Mount Lebanon to Tuscany, with sojourns in Sicily and Naples.
The cultural encounters and exchanges are recollected in this historical scholarly book that reads like a novel. Religious strife, money, power all play their part in the Emir’s life. Ted Gorton’s book shed’s light behind the Emir’s apparent tolerance and openness to many religions, which, as Gorton conveys, “in any age, that is a noble quality (…)” (2013:181).
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