Step into an afternoon of inspiration and storytelling as we present Voices of Freedom at Hirut Jazz Cafe in Toronto’s east end. This reading series, hosted by the Writers in Exile group of PEN Canada, brings together powerful voices from across the globe—representing Asia and the Middle East.
This edition will feature Yamin Myatt Aye (Myanmar), Diary Marif (Iraq), and Jamal Saeed (Syria).
Join us in celebrating the strength and resilience of these courageous voices, as their words evoke a deep longing for their homelands, shed light on the complexities of life in exile, and the power of free expression. Let’s come together as a compassionate community to honour their stories and the enduring power of love and hope.
About the readers
Yamin Myatt Aye is a Myanmar-born journalist, author, and media professional. Currently, she serves as a presenter and senior producer for DVB, an exile media organization formerly based in Norway. Currently, she serves as a presenter and senior producer for DVB, an exile media organization. She is currently based in London, Ontario.
Jamal Saeed is a Syrian writer, who spent years as a prisoner of conscience in Syria before he and his family fled to Canada as refugees in 2016. His memoir, My Road from Damascus, was short-listed for the Hilary Weston Writers Trust Prize for Non-fiction and was called a “lyrical, extremely rich narrative” by Kirkus Reviews in a starred review. Jamal lives with his family in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
Diary Marif is a Kurdish writer and freelance journalist covering newcomer issues in Canada, as well as social and political issues in the Middle East for national and international media. Since 2018, Marif has focused on hybrid memoirs reflecting on his experiences as a war child, contributing three book chapters and completing his memoir titled My Precarious Life. He is currently based in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Are you a writer in exile?
If you’re interested in showcasing your voice or writing at a future Voices of Freedom event, please contact Gezahegn Mekonnen Demissie at 647-761-7252 or via email at gezishysso@gmail.com.
