November 24, 2024 | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Hirut Jazz Cafe, 2050 Danforth Avenue, Toronto
Free admission | open to the public
Step into an afternoon of inspiration and storytelling as we present Voices of Freedom at Hirut Jazz Cafe in Toronto’s east end. This special edition of the reading series, hosted by the Writers in Exile group of PEN Canada, brings together powerful voices from across the globe—representing Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.
Our featured writers—journalists, novelists, poets, and human rights advocates—have travelled from regions ravaged by war and repressive regimes, seeking refuge in Canada. Through their short stories, creative nonfiction, poems, and plays, they reflect on the human condition, their personal struggles, and the challenges of building new lives in Canada. These works resonate with themes of reconciliation, compromise, and the unyielding hope for a brighter future.
Featuring:
Shams Erfan, an Afghan refugee with a dramatic story of escape.
Lidiia Karpenko, a Ukrainian journalist who came to Canada with her daughter a few months after the Russian invasion.
Dilan Qadir, an Iraqi Kurdish writer.
Join us in celebrating the strength and resilience of these courageous voices, as their words evoke a deep longing for their homelands and shed light on the complexities of life in exile. Let’s come together as a compassionate community to honour their stories and the enduring power of love and hope.
Are you a writer in exile?
If you’re interested in showcasing your voice or writing, please contact Gezahegn Mekonnen Demissie at 647-761-7252 or via email at gezishysso@gmail.com.
