Photobook Launch by Julian Lush: Former Days


Wednesday 5th Mar 2025, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

34 Sackville Street, London W1S 3ED

Photobook Launch by Julian Lush: Former Days

About the lecture:

Join author Julian Lush, for the UK launch of his photobook “Former Days in Oman.” This fascinating visual record charts his time from 1961 to 1963 working as one of PDO’s Liaison Representatives for the Interior of Oman, responsible for maintaining working relations between the oil company and the local Al-Duru tribesman they employed in the Al Dhahirah region. Lush’s photographs present Oman on the brink of change, a pre-oil era when PDO was still in its early oil exploration phase and Omanis were living in deeply rooted traditional ways.
 
Julian Lush would like to extend his thanks to Engr Hilal Al-Wa’ily, Head of Royal Cavalry, Camel Corps, Farms and Gardens Affairs, and Abdullah Al Wa’ily, both of the Ministry of Diwan Affairs, but to Hilal especially for undertaking the publication of the book.

Please note, this is an in person event only and will not be available via live stream. 


About the speaker:

Julian Lush arrived in Ibri via Doha in January 1961 to find his “correct” Arabic was barely understood and that reading and writing were hardly known! He was emersed in dialect and learned to communicate by listening and repeating.

PDO’s workforce of Duru employees held their positions with the assent of the Head of the Duru tribe, Shaikh Ali bin Hilal. To ensure the smooth-running of the operations, it was the Representative’s role to resolve any issues that arose with Shaikh Ali, having first found his dwelling (fareej) in Wadi Aswad, and to discuss them under his samra tree (taht alsamra).
 
“This role and getting to know about the background and tribes of Oman provided me an ideal life. Shell later took me to the USA, New Zealand, Japan, and Dhabi and Yemen, but it was in Oman that I made friendships with Omanis from Ibri which have endured to this day”.

TOP