The final few days

I write from a rented holiday apartment in Dubrovnik, which is actually larger and nicer than the apartment in Novi Zagreb in which I lived for more than two months, but one would expect that given that it is designed for tourists, and we are paying accordingly. It is worth it, though, to be on a quiet street, just steps away from the old town but completely out of the tourist fray. Trip Advisor, once again, came through.

Two days ago we were in Split where I gave the last of my guest lectures to students and faculty in the English department at the University of Split. Here I am waiting for my contact, G, in the lobby of the super groovy postmodern hotel in which we were housed, courtesy of the Croatian Canadian Academic Society, of which G. is the President. 

Again, my talk was well received, even though students really do not know much about Canada, not to mention Canadian literature. I do my best to tell them things, and I am in teacherly mode here.

The students are shy to ask questions, though often a few come up to me after the talk is over when they are ‘released’ from the classroom or lecture hall. When I ask them questions about Canada what they really know is the musicians and bands. Almost always the first name that comes up is Justin Bieber (!), but also Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Bryan Adams, Alanis Morrisette, Rush (!), sometimes Arcade Fire or the New Pornographers. They were surprised that K’naan and K-os are Canadian. I explain that one of the reasons they know that these particular musicians are Canadian is because of Canadian content laws that make it possible for Canadian musicians to stay in Canada, develop their careers, and become famous. They do not have to merge with the American scene as actors often do. Anyway…predictably the only Canadian author that almost everyone knows when I ask the question is Margaret Atwood. Ah, dear Peggy, you have done much for our national literature and I am grateful to you and proud of you.

One of the best things about doing these lectures is meeting Croatian colleagues. G was my contact and was the first academic to travel and teach because of the agreements between Croatia and Canada in which our respective universities are involved. I am the first Canadian academic to travel this way. We both pledged to try to expand and enhance whatever possibilities can be formulated in the future, especially for students, but also for professors. We need a Canadian version of the Fulbright program. Perhaps Mr. Basillie will be interested in founding such a program (rather than buying a hockey team). What a legacy that would be!

Dubrovnik is gorgeous. I am enjoying my tourist travels. Who wouldn't want the opportunity to look upon this?