Author Talk: Gérard Martinez

Join us for an author talk by Gérard Martinez, speaking on his new book, Windows on a Sanctioned Country / Fenêtre sur l’embargo: Iraq 1997-1999.

This presentation includes original photography by the author and others. Copies of the book will be available to purchase in French and English.

From the author:

Diplomatic ties between France and Iraq were particularly strong during the 1970s and ’80s. In 1991, however, relations were severed by Saddam Hussein due to France’s participation in the Gulf War after the invasion of Kuwait on August 2nd, 1990. A few years later, in 1995, after Baghdad accepted United Nations Security Council Resolution 986 recognizing Kuwait and its borders, the Interests Section of France in Iraq was opened in the capital.

Despite this renaissance in relations between Baghdad and Paris, reopening the French Embassy was not yet on the agenda. In March 1995, the Interests Section of France in Iraq therefore opened under the Romanian flag. Relations warmed further still with the reopening of the French Cultural Center in the summer of 1997.

As head of the French Cultural Centre, it was my task to revitalize the cultural and linguistic relations between our two countries. The events recounted here take place during this time.

Photos by Hien Lam Duc.