Gerald Durrell unveils Corfu to the World

The Greek island of Corfu has long attracted a wealth of creative talent from all corners of the world. Whether this popularity is due to the island’s inspirational nature or breathtaking scenery is yet unclear. What is certainly a fact is that Gerald Durrell (1925-1995), a botanist, nature and animal lover, a naturalist and writer, opened the world to Corfu’s undeniable natural beauty and set it on the map for life.


Source: destinationcorfu.gr

In 1935 Gerald Durrell’s mother and siblings, Leslie and Margaret moved to Corfu to join his oldest brother, Lawrence and wife. The Durrell family stayed on the island until 1939. It was in Corfu that Gerald Durrell’s love for nature and animals surfaced as he began to collect, study and keep local pets and fauna. Corfu had such an impact on Gerald Durrell that he based ‘My Family and Other Animals’ (1956) on the five wonderful years he spent living there, in paradise as he said. ‘My Family and Other Animals’ went on to become a popular BBC drama series in 1989 and movie in 2005. Today, BBC brings to life the Durrell’s story yet again with ITV’s brand new series, ‘The Durrells’ which started broadcasting on 3rd April 2016 and is set to be a tremendous hit.

‘My Family and Other Animals’ was followed by other equally fascinating books named, ‘Birds, Beasts, and Relatives’ and ‘The Garden of the Gods,’ which also illustrate the island of Corfu at its finest. Gerald Durrell thought of Corfu as home with its dominating towers, churches, Esplanade Square, medieval labyrinth-like streets, Venetian architecture as well as unspoilt countryside, blossoming landscapes, blue waters and timeless traditions. Most importantly, Corfu inspired Gerald Durrell to found the now Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.

Source: independent.co.uk

Corfu honours Gerald Durrell for inspiring and unveiling the island’s treasures to the world. One of the most prominent cultural events held in honor of Gerald and Lawrence Durrell took place on 23rd September 2007, where Louis Hotels Group played a part as a sponsor and organizer.

During the event, the busts of Gerald and brother, Lawrence Durrell were unveiled at Corfu’s Bosketo that was renamed Durrell’s Bosketo. The event was the starting point of Durrell’s Cleaning up the Mediterranean organization as well.

The successful event was attended by multiple important Corfu individuals as well as prominent guests, including the Mayor of Corfu, Dr. Lee Durrell, the sculptress who created the busts of the Durrell brothers as well as Mr. Poseidon Theodourou, the representative of Louis Group, Mr. J. Perdios, Ms. P. Tanta and Mr. M. Maratheftis, the local authorities, locals and English residents of Corfu.

We are all excited about the new series, ‘The Durrells’ aired on ITV as well as honoured that Gerald Durrell’s story is being told once again.