Modern History

French History

The Versailles Kings: Power, Splendor, and Revolution in France’s Royal Era

Experience the rise and fall of France’s absolute monarchy through the grandeur of Versailles. Explore how royal opulence, art, and political ambition under Louis XIV, XV, and XVI shaped—and doomed—the Old Regime. The series ends with the Revolution that toppled the monarchy and transformed France forever.

Revolution & Empire: France from 1789 to Napoleon

Follow the drama of the French Revolution, Napoleon’s meteoric rise, and the reshaping of Europe. From the ideals of Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité to the crowning of an emperor, this series explores how France’s turmoil created a new world order—and a new kind of leader.

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The Transformation of Paris: The Second Empire and the Belle Époque (1853–1914)

Witness Paris’ reinvention under Napoleon III and Baron Haussmann—from crowded medieval streets to the elegant boulevards we know today. The series concludes with the exuberant Belle Époque, a golden age of art, architecture, and innovation symbolized by the Eiffel Tower and the 1889 World’s Fair.

The Belle Époque: Paris at Its Height

Step into the glittering world of the Belle Époque—a period of optimism, artistic brilliance, and invention. Explore the cafés of Montmartre, the posters of Toulouse-Lautrec, the cancan at the Moulin Rouge, and the birth of modern fashion and technology in the City of Light.

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Italian History

The Kingdoms of Italy: Fragmented Beginnings (1700–1861)

Explore Italy before unification—independent states shaped by foreign powers, local traditions, and rising nationalist sentiment. Discover how Garibaldi and Cavour forged a new Italian identity.

Italy’s Rise and Struggles in the Modern Era (1861–1945)

Follow Italy’s first decades as a nation—its dreams, divisions, and descent into fascism. This class connects politics with art, architecture, and the growing tension between northern and southern Italy.

The Italian Republic: From Reconstruction to Today (1946–Present)

Trace Italy’s rebirth after World War II and its journey through economic booms, political challenges, and cultural triumphs—from La Dolce Vita to modern design.

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Egyptian History (Modern)

Napoleon in Egypt and the Birth of Modernity (1798–1919)

When Napoleon Bonaparte landed in Alexandria, Egypt once again became a crossroads of East and West. His expedition not only introduced European military power but also sparked a wave of discovery — from the Rosetta Stone to the first modern scientific study of Egypt’s ancient past. This class examines the legacies of the Napoleonic invasion, Muhammad Ali Pasha and his dynasty, the opening of the Suez Canal, and the growing shadow of British control. We explore how Egypt’s artists and intellectuals balanced admiration for modern progress with resistance to foreign domination.

Nationalism and Revolution: From Monarchy to Nasser (1919–1970)

The early 20th century saw modern Egypt rising to claim its voice. Beginning with the 1919 Revolution and the charismatic Saad Zaghloul, we trace the struggle for independence under the British Protectorate and the eventual fall of King Farouk in 1952. The second half of the lecture focuses on Gamal Abdel Nasser — his Pan-Arab vision, nationalization of the Suez Canal, and leadership during the Cold War. We’ll explore the optimism of the Nasser era, its art and cinema, and the deep impact of decolonization on Egypt’s global identity.

The Republic and the Contemporary Era: Sadat to el-Sisi (1970–Today)

From Nasser’s socialism to Sadat’s Infitah (economic opening) and the Camp David Accords, Egypt entered a complex new chapter balancing peace, power, and change. Under Hosni Mubarak, decades of authoritarian stability gave way to popular unrest, culminating in the 2011 Revolution and the rise of new leadership under Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. This session explores how Egypt continues to redefine its national identity — through modern architecture, tourism, cinema, and digital culture — while negotiating its role in a rapidly shifting Middle East.

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European History – Single overview classes

Europe Between the Wars: The Rise of Modernism and Dictatorship (1918–1945)

Experience the turbulence of the interwar years when optimism, despair, and innovation collided. From the energy of the Roaring Twenties to the rise of fascism and totalitarianism, this class examines how Europe’s creative and political upheavals paved the way for World War II.

France and the Third Republic: From Empire to Modern Age (1870–Present)

Trace France’s evolution from the collapse of empire to the rise of democracy and modern identity. Learn how the French people navigated war, occupation, and renewal—culminating in the vibrant cultural and intellectual life of today’s Fifth Republic.

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World War II and the Art of Resistance

Discover how art, propaganda, and courage shaped Europe’s wartime experience. This lecture explores occupied France and Italy—where artists, writers, and ordinary citizens defied tyranny through creativity, satire, and secret resistance.

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The Rise of Modern Europe: 1945–Present

Explore postwar Europe’s journey from devastation to unity. Examine reconstruction, the birth of the European Union, and the cultural revolutions that redefined identity, art, and politics in the modern era.

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Each program combines expert storytelling, visual richness, and clear connections between art, culture, and history.

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