Marla Mossman to Speak at C.W. Post
International photographer and solo traveler to share her experiences on historic Silk Road

Brookville, N.Y. -- International photographer, artist and poet Marla Mossman, who is traveling from Jerusalem, Israel to X’ian, China by car, foot, horse, mule and camel to document places of historical and religious significance, will share her experiences in a slide show presentation on Tuesday, April 14 at 3:30 p.m. in the Hillwood Commons Cinema at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University. The event, which is sponsored by the C.W. Post Honors Program, is free and open to the public.

Through her project, the Peace Caravan, Mossman has taken four solo expeditions to photograph India, Turkey, Afghanistan and the Middle East countries of Syria, Jordan and Israel, traveling along Silk Road, one the world's oldest trade passages. Although the route brings her to areas constantly under the fear of violence, Mossman says she is optimistic that by sharing photographs and stories from her travels that audiences “will find a new appreciation for the religious and cultural heritages of these nations and that a new way to peace will reveal itself.”

“I think it is really important for students to meet people who take an interest in other cultures and in the achievement of greater social justice,” said Dr. Joan Digby, director of the C.W. Post Honors Program. “So many people live marginal existences and are bound by cultural restrictions. Their stories need to be told. The beautiful work that they do needs to be brought to the attention of others who might be interested.”

Mossman’s slide show presentation will detail her 2005 journey to Afghanistan where she worked with the ministers from the Department of Transportation and the Department of Education in Kabul and Bamiyan Province. She was the first foreigner and woman to visit Waras, a remote part of Central Afghanistan. At the time of her journey, there was a lot of violence in the area against Americans, due to revelations that the Koran had been desecrated at the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

“I had a lot of fear,” Mossman said. “I felt like a target and that’s something that’s difficult to overcome. But I find in all my travels, that we are all human beings and have so many things in common, including a basic goodness. Even though we have differences, we have a lot of similarity in our everyday lives.”

Mossman said she hopes her story will invoke a curiosity about other cultures in young people and inspire them to leave their comfort zone and have a sense of adventure.

“Part of the excitement for me is going to a place where I don’t speak the language, I don’t know anyone and am completely alone,” Mossman said. “I’m relying on my instincts, my sense of observation and I must lead with my heart.”

Hillwood Commons is located on the C.W. Post Campus at 720 Northern Boulevard (Route 25A) in Brookville, New York. For further information contact Dr. Digby at (516) 299-2840 or e-mail joan.digby@liu.edu or visit www.liu.edu/cwpost/honors or www.peacecaravan.com for more information.

Posted: March 9, 2009