Travel
To Timbuktu: the race to save the manuscripts
Ever since we signed the travel memoir To Timbuktu for a Haircut: A Journey Through West Africa by Rick Antonson, I seem to see Timbuktu mentioned everywhere.
I thought this article by Yilmaz Alimoglu in the Toronto Star on January 10, 2008, brought another interesting aspect to this ancient city and the ancient manuscripts that are stored in private homes, shops, and mosques throughout Timbuktu. It would be a tragedy if we took the risk of losing these ancient books, instead of making them safe for future generations. There are several organizations working to save the manuscripts and you can check out these links to find out more: www.timbuktufoundation.org and www.sum.uio.no/timbuktu/index.html.
Antonson was very touched by his journey there and Alimoglu seems to reiterate that it was a life-changing experience. Let us know if you have been to Timbuktu and share with us your stories.
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