Preserving Culture in Conflict (In person)
As wars are waged across the globe and peoples and nations face existential threat, how do communities hold on to their culture, their art, language, stories and histories? How do they preserve all that holds them together in the face of devastation and in exile.
In the lead up to Refugee Week, writers from some of the worst affected regions of the recent past and present day come together to discuss their own hopes, ideas and endeavours to hold onto the foundations of their cultural heritage and identities. In conversation with Sudanese author and activist Yassmin Abdel-Magied are: Eritrean Ethiopian novelist Sulaiman Addonia, whose most recent novel, The Seers, explores the refugee experience and the healing power of art; Ukrainian writer, historian and Director of the Ukrainian Institute London Dr Olesya Khromeychuk; and Palestinian writer Ahmed Alnaouq, whose project and book We Are Not Numbers collects the writing and everyday stories of Palestinians in Gaza.
Sulaiman Addonia FRSL is an Eritrean-Ethiopian-British novelist who came to London as an underage unaccompanied refugee. His other novels include The Consequences of Love and Silence is My Mother Tongue, which have been shortlisted for awards including the Commonwealth Writers Prize and the African Literary Award from MoAD in San Francisco. His essays appear in Lit Hub, Granta, Freeman’s, The New York Times, De Standaard and Passa Porta. He lives in Brussels where he founded the Creative Writing Academy for Refugees & Asylum Seekers and the Asmara-Addis Literary Festival in Exile (AALFIE).
Ahmed Alnaouq grew up in Gaza where he earned a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from al-Azher University. Ahmed was the inspiration for, and original project manager of, We Are Not Numbers. He later won the UK’s prestigious Chevening scholarship and earned a master’s degree in international journalism from Leeds University. He also serves as advocacy and outreach officer for the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor. Ahmed’s writings have been published by the Gulf News, New Arab, and other websites. He is currently based in London.
Dr Olesya Khromeychuk is a historian and writer. She is the author of The Death of a Soldier Told by His Sister (2022). Khromeychuk has written for The New York Times, The New York Review of Books, The Guardian, Der Spiegel, Prospect and The New Statesman, and has delivered a TED talk on ‘What the World Can Learn From Ukraine's Fight for Democracy’. She has taught the history of East-Central Europe at several British universities and is currently the Director of the Ukrainian Institute London.
Yassmin Abdel-Magied is a Sudanese diaspora writer, broadcaster and award-winning social advocate. Her books include two middle grade novels, You Must Be Layla and Listen, Layla, which she is now adapting for screen, and Talking About a Revolution, an urgent critique of contemporary culture and Stand Up and Speak Out Against Racism, a practical guide for children. Her critically acclaimed essays have been published widely, including in the bestselling It’s Not About The Burqa and The New Daughters of Africa. She is a Trustee of The London Library.
Counterpoints Arts is the national arts organisation working in arts, migration and cultural change. Counterpoints co-ordinates the national Refugee Week, which is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. Established in 1998 in the UK, this annual festival aligns with World Refugee Day, celebrated globally on June 20th. Powered by communities across the UK, the 2025 festival runs from 16-22 June.
Books by all the speakers will be available to buy at the event and online from our partner bookshop Hatchards.
NB This event will take place in person at The London Library. Doors (and the bar) will open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.
Please see our Event Access Guidelines before you arrive.
