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VERGILIAN SOCIETY SUMMER TOURS
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Greetings!
As a member of the American Classical League, you may be interested in travel sponsored through the Villa Vergiliana for the summer of 2012. Of our four tours, there remain several spots available for the tour directed by veterans Ann Koloski-Ostrow and Steven Ostrow. I send along a description of their "Poets and Painters, Proletarians and Princes" tour, below, which includes links to applications and further details (also published on our Vergilian Society website). Just recently, I had a chance to exchange memories with Ann and Steve, who have shared some anecdotes of their tours that date back to 1976. Theirs is an impressive tradition of dedication to the study and sharing of the history and beauty of the Campania region. The brief "interview" preceding the tour description captures the lively and memorable times enjoyed by the Ostrows and their fellow travelers during journeys past.Feel free to direct your questions about the applications and deposits to our Secretary-Treasurer, Keely Lake at vergsoc@yahoo.com.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Ann Matteo, Ph.D. Second Vice President, Vergilian Society IdealSchools High School, Ashburn, Virginia
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A Chat with Ann and Steve
Given their lengthy bibliographies and numerous awards in both teaching and scholarship, it would seem a tad intimidating asking Ann and Steve about their favorite times spent at the Villa Vergiliana -- except that their warm and witty personalities dispel any nervousness from the outset! Follow our words, below, and you'll see why the Ostrows are truly inspirational ambassadors for the Vergilian Society programs!
CAM: When did you begin your long-standing relationship with the Villa Vergiliana?
OSTROWS: Our earliest summertime Vergilian Society expeditions go back to 1976, when Ann was lucky to team up with George Houston (of Univ. of N.C.-Chapel Hill), for a double-header -- based at the Villa Vergiliana at Cumae, and in Rome as well. Since 1979, we've been happy to join together in leading many a Campanian tour at least a few times in every decade, with the Villa as our hospitable home -- and starting with 2001, we felt lucky to bring a crew of Vergilians to Cumae nearly every summer for nine seasons in a row: that's lots of eye-popping sites, Vergilian lore, delicious Neapolitan meals, and good new friends!
CAM: What is unique about the colleagues you've come to know on the tours?
OSTROWS: Aside from the always steady core of "professional Vergilians" (teachers of Latin & the Classics at every level, and undergrad & graduate students too), we've hosted folks from every walk of life -- like the married couple from Nashville (she a grade school teacher, he a nuclear engineer), and a beer distributor (with Harvard law degree) from Detroit! There's nothing like mixing us all together at the Villa's merry (& groaning) dining table, to get good chat going, and great news & views exchanged.
CAM: Are there a few unforgettable moments from your tours?
OSTROWS: If you ask for favorite "unforgettables," it's hard to make a choice. There's our picnic up in sleepy, beautiful Saepinum high in the Samnite hills, when we were joined by the friendliest of local cows, their neck-bells clanking softly. There's the long list of spectacular -- but "closed-to-the-public" -- houses at Pompeii (like "Golden Cupids" and "Marcus Fabius Rufus") that the local authorities have opened up just for us, in honor of our Vergilian Society standing. Or there's that serene, "backside" hike on the isle of Capri, after a climb to Tiberius' Villa Jovis, which opens up onto one jaw-dropping view after another.
We look forward to sharing these pleasures, and many more, with our 2012 team of Vergilian explorers.-- Ann Koloski-Ostrow and Steve Ostrow
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"In the Footsteps of Poets and Painters, Proletarians and Princes: Rediscovering the Bay of Naples
in Greek and Roman Times"
July 2-14, 2012
DIRECTORS: Ann Koloski-Ostrow, Brandeis University; Steven Ostrow, MIT
Residents of Naples Bay hailed from slave and freedmen circles, from the ranks of the free-born poor, from middling traders, artisans and municipal worthies, and ranged upward to top aristocrats, and not a few Emperors themselves. We shall meet many of these souls at home, at work, and at Campanian play. Sites include Sperlonga, Terracina, Cumae, Lake Avernus, Solfatara, Pompeii, Naples, Paestum/Poseidonia, Puteoli/Pozzuoli, Beneventum, Saepinum, Herculaneum, Oplontis (Torre Annunziata), Capri, Baiae, Bacoli, Misenum.
COST: $2,595 detailed itinerary. | |
Roman frescos preserved in Herculaneum
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Feel free to contact Keely Lake, our Secretary-Treasurer, with any questions regarding the tours, applications, and deposits. You can reach her by e-mail at vergsoc@yahoo.com.
Sincerely,
Chris Ann Matteo
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