Tunisia: Prelude to an Arab Spring – Zarin Machanda

Tunisia:  Prelude to an Arab Spring – Zarin Machanda

Located along the North African shores of the Mediterranean, Tunisia has a rich history dating to before the 12th century BCE and is a crossroads of Berber, French, and Arab cultures.  In December 2011, Zarin and her family rented a car and spent an incredible ten days driving around the entire country.  She will share some of the highlights of this trip, including impeccably preserved Roman ruins, sleeping in a cave hotel, a night in an oasis in the Sahara, and playing with light sabers on the original sets where Star Wars was filmed in 1977.  Zarin arrived in Tunisia a week after a young fruit seller had self-immolated to protest economic conditions in the country.  That event is widely considered to have set the Arab Spring in motion, and protests erupted just two days after she left the country.  Zarin will examine some of this broader context and some of her observations during this historic time.

Directions to Lincoln Public Library, 3 Bedford Road, Lincoln 781.259.8465

Lincoln Public Library is located at intersection of Bedford and Trapelo Roads.

Parking is available on Library Lane, which runs behind the library but is only accessible from Bedford Road; you can also park on nearby roads.

From 128:  Take Exit 44B Trapelo Road/Lincoln. Follow Trapelo Road ~2.5mi to its intersection with Lincoln and Bedford Roads (at the flowerpot).  Library is on your right. Turn right on Bedford Road and right again on Library Lane to park.

From Mass Pike:  Take 128 North and follow directions above.

From 93:  Take 128 South and follow directions above.

From Route 2: Take Bedford Road towards Lincoln Center. There is a traffic light at this intersection, and Tracey’s Garage is a good landmark.  Follow Bedford Road south for ~1mile and turn left on Library Lane to park.

From 495:  Take Route 2 East and follow above directions.

From Route 117:  Take Lincoln Road to Lincoln Center.  At Lincoln Road’s intersection with Trapelo and Bedford Roads (just beyond Lincoln Town Offices), continue straight on Bedford Road and turn right just beyond Lincoln Public Library onto Library Lane to park.