Writer-in-Exile Program

Last Updated (Monday, 30 March 2009 15:50) Saturday, 06 December 2008 08:30

Writer in Exile success stories

Author/philosopher John Ralston Saul challenged Edmonton during a previous visit here to establish Alberta’s first sustained Writer-in-Exile program. A coalition of writers, academics, administrators and politicians accepted that challenge with help from Edmonton Community Foundation.

Jalal Barzangi, a recognized Iraqi poet and journalist – and ethnic Kurd – was chosen as Edmonton’s first writer-in-exile. Jalal, imprisoned and then forced to flee Iraq because of his writings about human, cultural and women’s rights issues, arrived in Canada as a refugee.

After six months as writer-in-exile, Jalal flourished as a leader, mentor, keynote speaker and an advocate for literacy, multiculturalism and freedom of expression.

< Prev   Next >