Simon Sebag Montefiore: The Cauldron: The Making of the Modern Middle East

How the Middle East of 1900 became the region we know today

Simon Sebag Montefiore brings The Cauldron to Cirencester History Festival for an hour-long talk tracing the modern Middle East from the Ottoman Empire to the present day. The book ranges from Morocco to Iran and follows political upheaval alongside the region's varied cultures, giving the evening a wide lens rather than a single-country account.

Doors open at 6.40pm for a 7pm start. Bingham Hall lists wheelchair and pushchair access for the main room and accessible toilets nearby; parking is limited on street, with public car parks a short walk away.

Ticketed. This event is sold out, but the organiser advises joining the waiting list in case tickets become available.

Thursday 29 October 2026 · Bingham Hall, King Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 1JT · Doors 6.40pm, 7pm to 8pm