Jordan Lancaster - writer
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A British citizen born in Canada, Jordan Lancaster, CATHOLIC WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2010, began her career as an academic specialising in Italian intellectual history. She studied at the universities of Bologna and Perugia before obtaining her doctor of philosophy degree in Italian and French from the University of Toronto in 1992. Jordan is the founder, owner and principal of Square Mile Languages and has over ten years experience as a professional translator and interpreter. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Linguists and a Fellow of the Italian Institute for Historical Studies, as well as a member of the board of the Capri International Festival.
The Accademia asks Jordan Lancaster the following questions:
An English rose born in Canada in love with Italy. What sparked your intellectual curiosity for Italian history?
My first interest was the Italian language - when as a child I heard it, I thought that it was so beautiful that I wanted to speak it. As time went on, I began to study Italian literature and realised that to really understand how literature fits in with other cultural trends - music, art - you need to know the country’s historical background.
In 1575 Miguel Navarro defined Naples as 'a Paradise inhabited by demons'. More recently, film Director Ben Hokins (Naples Open City 1943-1948) described it as ‘hell inhabited by angels’. How does Jordan Lancaster define her Naples?
That really depends on the day! When people ask me ‘what was it like to live for so many years in Naples’ I alway say that it has been ‘una scuola di vita’.
What inspired you to write 'In the Shadow of Vesuvius: A Cultural History of Naples'?
When I lived in Naples I was involved in post-doctoral studies in history at the Italian Institute for Historical Studies, and I wanted a book that was an overview of Italian, Neapolitan history but I could not find one. In the end I became so tired of looking that I decided I would write one myself.
Your altruistic endeavours are at the heart of the TERRA SANCTA EDUCATION TRUST, a registered charity founded by you in 2007. How was this initiative received in the Middle East?
I remember when I was 11 years old, my first visit to Italy - my parents took me on holiday. I travelled from Canada to Europe for the first time and I visited Florence, Rome, Venice and this is where I fell in Love with Italy and decided that when I grew I wanted to speak Italian. That was a dream I carried with me as a little child. Children are like sponges and are influenced and inspired by what they see, and make decision that can change their lives. I wouldn’t have the life I have today had I not been determined from the age of 11 to study Italian. With the Terra Santa Education Trust I wanted to give children living in very difficult situations the same opportunities and help them reach their own goals.
One of the objectives of the TERRA SANCTA EDUCATION TRUST is the promotion of respect and dialogue between different monotheistic faith communities. How difficult has this objective been so far?
Actually, this has been the easiest part because I had the opportunity to live in London which is a very multi-cultural city. Whenever you show respect and interest in anyone else’s cherished beliefs, friendship is never far away.
Will there be a Bethlehem-to-Jerusalem Interfaith Peace Marathon this year?
This year we are doing something different. We are going to do the ‘Dead Sea Marathon’ in Jordan to support the Girls’ Home in Anjara (Northern Jordan), an orphanage that the trust works with.
Are you going to walk on water?
Hopefully we can float on the Dead Sea! This 42 kilometre marathon, which is organised in Jordan, is going to be more of a physical challenge than the symbolic Bethlehem-to-Jerusalem 10-kilometre run. I will be cheered on by the girls from Anjara who will be coming for the occasion and stay with our group by the Dead Sea.
What is ‘hope’ for Jordan Lancaster?
It is what I try to believe in every day, focussing on achieving the best possible future for myself and those whose lives intertwine with my own.
Square Mile Languages is a successful translation and interpreting company based in London – it represents a decade of experience. ‘My brother is an Only Child' (Antonio Pennacchi; 2007 – now a major motion picture directed by Daniele Lucchetti and starring Riccardo Scamarcio) is one of the many book you translated into English. What is your next dream?
I am currently studying Spanish and will add it to my portfolio of languages from next year. I’m also studying Arabic, but let’s just say no plans to use my Arabic professionally for the foreseeable future! I have also found that there are many people that I meet through my work and activities who have a keen interest in Italian culture. This is why I have decided to establish a new cultural forum in London for professionals who love Italy. This new association will be called ‘Cultura’. I think that there are some wonderful synergies between Cultura and Accademia Apulia and I look forward to much collaboration in the future.
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