On Jan. 10th, World Traveler, Renowned Story-Teller Shares Insights on Iran at Area Library

A globe-trotting former executive of Time-Life Books will come to the River Forest Public Library on Sunday, January 10th to share insights about Iran’s history, architecture, culture and outlook for the future.

Bill Helmuth’s free program, “Ancient and Modern Iran,” begins at 2 p.m. at the library, 735 Lathrop Ave. The multimedia presentation is highly visual, with 175 images that encompass a cross-section of the nation’s people and historic places, such as Persepolis, the ancient Persian capital that was destroyed by Alexander the Great.

The program is part of a series sponsored by the library and River Forest Township called “Let’s Celebrate Seniors All Year Long.”

In light of international events, including debate in the United States over the appropriate stance toward Muslim immigrants, Helmuth’s talk is especially timely. He said that he provides a “balanced point of view” cultivated through his exposure to cultures throughout his decades of travel. In addition, he resided in foreign locales such as Singapore, Hong Kong, India and Australia.

Persia transformed into Iran in 1935 and, according to Helmuth, “today is trying to find its place among Islamic countries and its influence on the world’s nations.”

“We will explore the marvels of its ancient history, its magnificent mosques, the Silk Road and architecturally significant palaces. But most important, we will meet and try to understand the proud, creative people, and their wide-ranging culture, which is so different from the scenes portrayed on the nightly evening news.”

Formerly director of sales for Time-Life Books in Asia, Helmuth is a Chicago native who has logged more than five million air miles while living on four continents and journeying to 111 countries, from Albania to Zimbabwe, over the course of his career.

Among his travels was a three-week excursion throughout Iran in 2013. His talk, he said, will “help fill in the spaces between the news headlines.”

Helmuth’s background includes serving as a contributing writer for the Chicago Tribune and delivering programs, drawn from his far-flung travels, that cover areas such as East Asia and the Middle East, including Syria.

A resident of Oakbrook Terrace, Helmuth in the early 1970s also resided for a short period in Oak Park. In addition to his presentation, other upcoming programs in the “Let’s Celebrate Seniors All Year Long” series are:

*Saturday, February 20, 2 p.m. - “Talk Intelligently about Art” with Chicago art historian and guide Jeff Mishur.

*Sunday, March 6, 2 p.m. - Edu-tainer Martina Mathison, founder of Living History, re-enacts the life of Marie Antoinette in honor of Women’s History Month.

*Sunday, April 3, 2 p.m. - Tour the gardens of Holland with landscape photographer Linda Oyama Bryan.

*Sunday, April 17, 2 p.m. - As a preview to the Wright Plus Housewalk in May, enjoy actress Ellie Presents’ costumed interpretation of “Regretting Mr. Wright: Mamah Cheney Tells Her Story”.

Although the programs are especially tailored to seniors, they are free and open to people of all ages, as well as those from outside River Forest and Oak Park.

The series name is inspired by—but not directly associated with— Celebrating Seniors Week, a not-for-profit initiative that culminates in a weeklong series of events every May throughout River Forest, Oak Park and Forest Park. River Forest Township is a strong supporter of Celebrating Seniors.

To learn more about these programs, or any of the other programs or services provided by River Forest Township, please call 708-366-2029 or visit www.RiverForestTownship.org. On Facebook: www.facebook.com/RiverForestTownship; on Twitter: www.twitter.com/RFTownship.

The River Forest Public Library is online at www.rflib.org, and can be reached at 708-366-5205. On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiverForestPublicLibrary