CBRL kicked off 2025 with a series of thought-provoking lectures, bringing together experts from various disciplines to delve into topics spanning history, culture, and geopolitics.
On January 22nd, we hosted Professor Yasir Suleiman, Emeritus Professor of Modern Arabic Studies at the University of Cambridge, for his lecture: The Politics of Street Signs in Old Jerusalem. Prof. Suleiman examined the linguistic landscape of Jerusalem’s Old City, where street signs reflect the city’s turbulent history over the past century. He discussed how conflict has shaped this landscape and how local communities have used these signs as a form of resistance against the occupying power.
Our Cyprus Lecture Series continued on January 29th with its third lecture, Hellenistic to Islamic Glass in the Levant: 1,500 Years of Constant Development, delivered by Professor Thilo Rehren. This lecture shed light on the technological evolution of glass-making in the region, tracing its development from the Hellenistic period through to the Islamic era. Professor Rehren’s insights into the manufacturing processes of ancient craftspeople offered a deeper understanding of the interplay between different industries and cultures.
On February 3rd, CBRL hosted a special Book Launch for Excavations at Iktanu in the South Jordan Valley, Jordan, celebrating the digital publication of Dr. Kay Prag’s monograph. Dr. Prag delivered a compelling lecture on the significant archaeological discoveries made at the Iktanu site, shedding light on the rich history of the South Jordan Valley. This was followed by a drinks reception at Wolfson College in Oxford. This event was held both in-person in Oxford and online via Zoom, offering the opportunity for a wide audience to engage with Dr. Prag’s career and the groundbreaking work presented in her publication.
The Cyprus Lecture Series continued on February 5th with Dendroarchaeology and Monastic Heritage: Unearthing the Past at Sourp Magar of the Kyrenia Range, Cyprus, presented by PhD candidate Mehmetcan Soyluoglu. The lecture explored how dendroarchaeology is used to study the monastic heritage of Sourp Magar Monastery, located at the crossroads of Coptic and Armenian traditions. By analysing wooden structural elements, Mehmetcan offered new insights into the monastery’s history and its role in the interconnected cultural landscape of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East.
On February 11th, Professor Dina Matar delivered a lecture on the Problems and Limitations in Western Legacy Media’s Coverage of Israel’s Violent War Against Gaza. She examined how Western media, using the BBC as a case study, framed the Gaza conflict and contrasted this with Al-Jazeera English’s approach. Professor Matar highlighted the impact of elite news sources, the explosion of user-generated content, and the weaponization of journalistic objectivity, offering critical insights into how these media practices shape public perception and reinforce ideological narratives.
These events were part of CBRL’s continued dedication to fostering academic exchange and promoting public education, offering a platform for meaningful discussions and expanding knowledge.
We at CBRL thank all participants and attendees and look forward to sharing more events and lectures with you very soon.
