Meet the Graduates

As an amateur anthropologist and historian, Pierre enjoys being a “Raconteur” of stories about cultures, societies, and unusual facts. Pierre has delivered hundreds of presentations, lectures and stories to the public, business professionals and college students in both French and English, through his unique ability of bringing events and stories to life, using word pictures. He believes that stories define who we are and what connects us. His travel to some 30 plus countries, combined with his keen interest in local customs and history, allows him to weave tales that will regale you with anecdotes and fables on local culture and area, making every port a new adventure.

The Eiffel Tower – One of the world’s most iconic Structures. Surprisingly, it was almost torn down.
Its form is immediately recognizable by most people. But did you know it was originally intended too only be temporary? It took the people of Paris a little time to warm-up to the structure that has come to symbolize and represent Paris and France itself. In this talk you learn more interesting tidbits about its building and history.

Constantinople – The bridge between two continents
Modern day Istanbul is a thriving and bustling city and port of 20 Million. It was once the Key city in the Ottoman Empire, that stretched from north Africa to two thirds the way around the Mediterranean and parts of Asia. This empire’s reign was recent, lasting for almost 700 years, when it became The Turkish Republic in 1923.

Naples: From Castles to Mount Vesuvius. The Beautiful to the Macabre
This truly ancient city (4000 years) that lives in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, is famous for its proximity to the buried soles of Pompeii. Come learn a little about what life was like in the time of Christ as a Roman, (or one of its slaves). Naples is also known for having one of the largest catacombs in southern Italy. This city of 7 castles, in which one was said to have a crocodile pit, where the occasional prisoner would disappear. Today, Naples is a modern (if somewhat gritty) city with public transport such as trams and 4 funiculars. Oh… and it’s the reputed place of origin of the modern pizza. Please join me for more interesting and odd facts about this wonderful city and region.

Olympia (Katakolon), Greece: Games for Zeus, King of the Greek Gods!
Birthplace of the ancient Olympics and it’s interesting and controversial customs. Such as women being excluded, and violence in competition often tolerated, if not at least, expected. Athletes usual competed wearing little more than a loincloth (If anything at all). Also learn a little about the port city and region of Katakolon and its bounty of Wine and Olive Oil.

Bagne of Toulon: The infamous prison which gave inspiration to: Les Miserable
Most of us know the opening scene of les Miserable, where Jean Valjean is in forced labour, carrying heavy timbers at the port of Toulon. The character John Valjean is fictional, but the prison certainly is not. This talk explores the history of this infamous prison and the fate of some of its prisoners who were forced to do labour so heavy it was called “Fatigue”.

Venice: Of canals and commerce
How did Venice rise to become one of the most prolific cities of the Renaissance? Did Venice influence the world or did the world influence Venice. Once one of the greatest naval powers, its impact on the rest of humanity cannot be understated. And how those Renaissance Venetians loved to party. Carnival anyone?

Kotor, Montenegro: One of the best-preserved medieval towns in the Adriatic.
The name Montenegro seems to conjure up images of a once great Kingdom from ancient times. Interestingly, Montenegro only regained full independence in 2006. A country no larger than Connecticut, a former region of Yugoslavia, its 10,000 year history is filled with influences of empires from the Romans, Venetians and the Ottomans to name just a few.