The Tortoise Interview: Michael Palin on Iraq

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One of our most popular ever invited speakers returns to the newsroom to spend an evening chatting to James Harding and Tortoise members about his latest adventure.
In March 2022, Michael Palin travelled the length of the River Tigris through Iraq to get a sense of what life is like in a region of the world that once formed the cradle of civilisation, but that in recent times has witnessed turmoil and appalling bloodshed as the social and political landscape of the country has changed drastically.
It was a journey of sharp, often brutal contrasts, chronicled in Michael’s new book and TV series: ‘Into Iraq’.
From the streets of Baghdad to the ancient ruins of Babylon and the war-torn city of Mosul, Michael will share stories of the places he visited, the people he met and the impressions he formed of a country that few outsiders now venture to see.

[@milosterwheeler2520]

Michael Palin is one of those people who can appreciate other people's cultures and make friends all over the world. I would welcome him as a friend if given the opportunity. I like the way John Cleese and Eric Idle give exaggerated yawns when discussing his books and travel programs. They obviously love the man.

[@jamesbyersmusic]

An absolutely wonderful interview!! I just adore Michael Palin, not only am I a Python obsessive (As well as Ripping Yarns, The Missionary, A Private Function...) but he seems like a genuinely lovely person and I can watch his travel series again and again, and quite often do!! 🙂

[@tortoisemedia]

So glad you enjoyed it James. Hopefully we'll get Michael back later this year - I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

[@ruudvanmontfoort4485]

love his travelshows !!!

[@BryanWoy]

Tortoise is a wonderful discovery. And thank you for this interview with Palin, who is a national treasure. And so well-preserved. Look at his iggy tiggy piggy little eyeballs

[@Hawa-Kurdish]

Not to brag about or anything.. about 6 or so years ago after lots of research I found Mr. Plains office email.. I sent him an email expressing my appreciation for all his great work! I also asked him could you please one day go to my homeland Kurdistan (Kurdish region of Iraq) I wonder if he had ever seen or heard about my email 😊 Thanks for coming over.

[@mohammedadel514]

Not sure why this got only 172 views

[@CrunchyNorbert]

not for pleb consumption, you probably had to get behind the algorithm to find this

[@ellenoneill2271]

Hi Mohammed, and only 6 comments in as many months

[@pena.3302]

Yes not many [Self confessed'! types hv left a thumbs up.or cmmt.!]But i take that as a good sign.Funny that North Korea..Dispatch 'minders'.to kp sn eye on anyone As H.Rollins.talks abt aswell.!M.P..&,Henry Would totally get most things.that'd be a Great Interveiw.etc.❤!

[@JCResDoc94]

the title alone! _JC

[@smartbren]

Just got into Tortoise Media (Hoaxed,recommended)this is great

[@basilgrunt3393]

There is a universal human bonding through humour, particularly that which punctures pomposity and prejudice, and unites by emphasising the ridiculousness of conflict. It's a pressure release valve. There's a reason why totalitarianism tries to control it.

[@afargreencountry6324]

Russia, China and Iran are not the problem. Who has started most of the wars since WWII.

[@bobbastian760]

You can be a xenophilic restrictionist. You can like travel, like foreigners and still not want open borders. Actually most people abroad do defend their own culture and wouldn't tolerate being replaced by foreigners with a completely different culture. It's only western countries where the concept of open borders are entertained at all. This is a policy that will lead to the end of the west, its people and its culture. John Cleese is right. We can understand other countries without importing replacement levels of foreigners with often hostile and incompatible culture, into our own.

[@robertknibbs497]

Why does the interviewer talk so much? I want to listen to Michael Palin and not anecdotes from the interviewer - very frustrating