Page 40 - Program 2018

Friday 10:30–11:15 am

Rancho Mirage Library & Observatory Saving Cultural Heritage Today History and Biography
Richard Kurin Margaret MacMillan and
Friday 10:30–11:15 am Sally Bedell Smith
Leading Lady Jack London Room Friday 10:30–11:15 am
Sherry Lansing Unknown to most people, the Smithsonian leads Walt Disney Room
Friday 10:30–11:15 am today’s “monuments men and women” to save Join historian Margaret MacMillan and biographer
John Steinbeck Room cultural heritage threatened by natural disasters, war Sally Bedell Smith in a conversation focusing on
and terrorism around the world. Richard Kurin, who learning history through biography. MacMillan is a
When Sherry Lansing became the first woman ever to be
named president of a major studio, the news ricocheted oversees the Smithsonian’s Cultural Rescue Initiative, Canadian historian and professor at The University of
around the world. That was just the beginning of an outlines the institution’s efforts to save cultural heritage Toronto. She is the author of seven books including
astonishing run that saw her head two studios, make in Haiti, after the 2010 earthquake, Syria and Iraq, History’s People, The War That Ended Peace and Women
hundreds of films and rule for twenty-five years as the following the rise of ISIS, and in Egypt, Mali, Nepal of the Raj. Smith is the acclaimed author of seven books
most powerful woman Hollywood has ever known. and Puerto Rico. Kurin will explore the challenges ranging from Britain’s royal family to the Kennedy
Lansing will share behind-the-scenes tales from movie of working in harsh and dangerous circumstances White House. We know these intellectuals will have
sets and Hollywood boardrooms, and explain what and how researchers, curators and law enforcement a dazzling discussion that will leave us wanting the
inspired her to walk away from it all to start the Sherry are working together to prevent illegal looting and 2019 Writers Festival to get here soon.
Lansing Foundation. Peter Bart will join Sherry to talk trafficking and restore the treasures threatened by war
about her extraordinary life and new book Leading Lady. and natural disasters.

“No great man lives in vain. The
history of the world is but the
biography of great men.”

— Thomas Carlyle

39