By Diane D’Allessandro
CCC Journalism Program
BLACKWOOD – Fashion in the Age of Cleopatra will conclude a series of lectures dedicated to the last Egyptian pharaoh and the confluence of cultures during her reign. The lecture, the last of seven dedicated to Egypt’s most famous queen, will take place at 7 p.m. Nov. 10 in Civic Hall in the Connector Building on the Blackwood campus of Camden County College.
The Cleopatra’s World series from Sept. 15 to Nov. 10 is running concurrently with The Franklin Institute’s Cleopatra “The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt” world premiere exhibit. Six Egyptologists and one scholar of Roman history have been invited to share information about Greek culture and Egyptian rule to those attending the lectures. The lectures are open to the public and free but require prior registration.
Fashion in the Age of Cleopatra will be conducted by Tracy Musacchio of the Department of History at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York. Musacchio will discuss Cleopatra VII and the radically distinctive style unique to the Ptolemaic Period. The ruling family was rich in Greek culture but ruled over Egypt as pharaohs. The blend of Egyptian traditions and Greek style created new and different trends during the Ptolemaic Period.
Professor John Pesda, director of the Center for Civic Leadership and Responsibility at CCC, said “People should be able to meet with the instructor after the lecture.”
Many people are talking about the Cleopatra buzz around the college’s campus.
Lindsey Peralez of Berlin, N.J. said, “I have never been so interested in Greek and Egyptian culture until I attended the second lecture series.”
Laura and Karen Melin traveled more than 550 miles to attend the lecture given by Bob Brier, a professor at Long Island University. They were among the 600 attendees of the lecture Napoleon in Egypt and the Origins of Egyptology on Sept. 22.
Gina Rossi, a former student at Camden County College, said, “This free series is a great way to inspire students to learn about other cultures.”
Students are encouraged to visit the Cleopatra exhibit through bus trips associated with the college. For dates and times of bus trips to The Franklin Institute, visit http://www.camdencc.edu/civiccenter.
The Cleopatra exhibit will be at The Franklin Institute until Jan. 2, 2011. Photo provided