Speak! – a literary evening featuring Louis De Berniere, Rachel Seiffert, Patrick Neate, Toby Litt, Mende Nazer and Hari Kunzru
Louis De Berniere, Rachel Seiffert, Patrick Neate, Toby Litt, Mende Nazer and Hari Kunzru collaborate for a unique literary event supporting the invaluable work of the Refugee Council on 27th October.
Chaired by Hari Kunzru, award-winning writer of The Impressionist, Speak! is a unique opportunity to hear some of the countries finest literary talents read their work, discuss their inspirations and to debate current issues surrounding the politics of asylum, in the wonderful surroundings of the Union Chapel in Islington.
The six authors come together in support of the Refugee Council, the leading charitable organisation in the UK working with asylum seekers and refugees. It provides practical support and advice to asylum seekers and refugees, and campaigns for their rights in the UK and abroad.
Rachel Seiffert is the acclaimed author of The Dark Room – shortlisted for the 2001 Booker Prize for Fiction. Granta named her in 2003 one of twenty ‘Best of Young British Novelists’.
On taking part in the event, Rachel Seiffert said:
“The Refugee Council is an invaluable advocate for those whose governments have failed them. It also serves to remind the rest of us that our freedom is to be cherished and shared.”
Following the readings there will be an opportunity to ask questions.
Tickets cost £15. Visit website: www.wegottickets.com or from Reckless Records 79 Upper Street, London N1 or from the Events Team at The Refugee Council on 020 7820 3135.
All the writers are giving their time free, with profits going to the Refugee Council.
Ends
Notes to editors
-
Speak! will take place on Wednesday 27th October 2004 at Union Chapel, Islington, London. Nearest tube: Highbury and Islington. Doors open at 7pm and event starts promptly 7.30pm.
-
Tickets cost £15 and can be obtained by visiting website: www.wegottickets.com or at Reckless Records 79 Upper Street, London N1 or from the Events Team at The Refugee Council on 020 7820 3135.
-
The writers participating in the event are:
Louis De Berniere, author of the international best-seller Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, which won the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best Book in 1995 and was adapted for film in 2002.
Hari Kunzru, award-winning author of The Impressionist, shortlisted for the 2002 Whitbread First Novel Award, “An outstanding first novel…” – The Guardian.
Toby Litt, one of Granta’s ‘Best of Young British Novelists’ list . Litt has published several novels to critical acclaim. He is the author of two books of short stories, Adventures in Capitalism and Exhibitionism. His latest novel, Finding Myself, is described as “Toby Litt meets Virginia Woolf meets Big Brother…”
Mende Nazer, writer of Slave, about her horrific experiences as a slave abducted from Sudan. Mende is a refugee in the UK.
Patrick Neate, music journalist and poet, is the acclaimed writer of Musungu Jim and London Pigeon Wars. His novel Twelve Bar Blues won the 2001 Whitbread Novel Award.
Rachel Seiffert is the acclaimed author of the 2001 Booker Prize for Fiction shortlisted novel The Dark Room and named in 2003 by Granta as one of twenty ‘Best of Young British Novelists’.
