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Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at Penn Museum, 5:30-8:30 PM

The Geographical Society of Philadelphia cordially invites you to its 130th Legacy Event honoring the Explorer of the Year, Leon McCarron.

Visit the Middle Eastern Galleries with the Museum’s docents, and listen to Leon’s presentation in the Harrison Auditorium followed by the cocktail reception in the Egyptian Gallery. Meet Leon, who will sign copies of his previous publication, “The Land Beyond”, available for purchase at the event.

Leon is sharing his journey exclusively with our guests before the release of his book, film, and multimedia site titled, Wounded Tigris: A River Journey Through the Cradle of Civilization, which will be made public in 2023.

For thousands of years, the Tigris has acted as a lung exhaling life into Mesopotamia. The river irrigated some of the earliest civilizations on earth and with its natural ports and confluence points came major centers of power and influence. Between March 17th and May 26th, 2021, Leon McCarron traveled for 70 days along the full length of the Tigris river, by boat, accompanied by photographer Emily Garthwaite, Swiss filmmaker Claudio von Planta and Iraqi environmentalists Salman Khairalla and Hana Ibrahim.

In this exceptional and intimate event, at the Penn Museum, Leon will share the stories of his journey along the Tigris River and illustrate the meaning of exploration in the 21st Century.

Leon has traveled over 30,000 miles all over the world by foot, bike, and boat. On his expeditions, he learns the stories of communities he encounters, which he will share with his audience, including New York Times Magazine which profiled Leon, and his work in April 2022.

PROGRAM:

• Guests are invited to visit the Middle Eastern Galleries with the Museum’s docents from 5:30 to 6:30 PM

• Leon’s presentation will begin at 6:30 PM in the Harrison Auditorium

• After the presentation, the cocktail reception in the Egyptian Gallery will be open to all guests from 7:30 to 8:30 PM. We will also be providing an opportunity to meet Leon, who will be signing his previously published book, “The Land Beyond” available to purchase on-site.

We are excited to honor Leon in what will be a memorable evening in support of the Geographical Society of Philadelphia.

Open bar and small bites catered by CxRA.

ABOUT THE LEGACY EVENT:
Each year since 1891, the Legacy Event honors explorers based on their work in exploring the world and promoting human understanding of diverse cultures. As our mission is to foster exploration and to enhance understanding of diverse cultures, we honor explorers based on their work in crossing borders. The special Cecilia Beaux pin has previously been awarded to Robert Peary, Theodore Roosevelt, Neil Armstrong, Diana Nyad, and Derrick Pitts – to name just a few.

Penn Museum: 3260 South Street Philadelphia, PA 19104

Please click the links for Parking and public transportation

Face coverings are strongly encouraged but optional.

For Sponsorship opportunities and questions please contact Dilek Karabucak, Executive Director, at geosocphil@gmail.com or visit our website at www.geographicalsociety.org