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  1. Jamaica Will 'Bond' With Ian Fleming Centenary Celebrations

    By Devin Zydel on 2008-03-06
    Ian Fleming

    Ian Fleming

    As reported on CommanderBond.net in August of last year, one of the many planned events for 2008 to celebrate the Ian Fleming centenary is the ‘For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond’ exhibition.

    Set to open in April and be held at the Imperial War Museum in London, this exhibition will give visitors an in-depth exploration into the 007 phenomenon and the life of his creator.

    An update from The Gleaner notes that Jamaica will have a starring role in the celebrations.

    A series of activities–some executed in Jamaica while others will be organised and staged in Britain and elsewhere by the Fleming family and the British Government–are being put together.

    The ‘For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond’ exhibition will feature a recreation of Fleming’s study at Goldeneye, Jamaica, the location where he wrote many of his Bond novels.

    ‘We start off with Jamaica, with Fleming’s study at Goldeneye,’ said Terry Charman, senior war historian at the Imperial War Museum. ‘His writing desk, chair, typewriter and paintings of the beach that Fleming did as well as one by Sir Noel Coward, Fleming’s old friend.’

    There are some sculptures, photographs, pictures of Goldeneye. The exhibition also features quotes of Fleming saying how much he loved the island and the people and how he fell in love with it,’ he added.

    Lucy Fleming, the author’s niece also emphasized the important connection between the literary James Bond series and the country when she spoke at a Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) reception in London this week.

    She quoted the author himself, who said: ‘Would these books have been born if I hadn’t been living in the gorgeous vacuum of a Jamaican holiday? I doubt it.’

    For further details on the exhibition, check out this CBn article.

    A book by Ben Macintyre will accompany the exhibition and can currently be pre-ordered online:

    Ian Fleming’s centenary takes place on 28 May 2008, the same day Devil May Care, the all-new Bond novel by Sebastian Faulks, is set for release.

    Stay tuned to CBn for the latest details and coverage of the Ian Fleming centenary events.