Special event with Behrouz Boochani

Award-winning Kurdish-Iranian journalist, writer, filmmaker, and human rights activist Behrouz Boochani will speak about his most recent book Freedom, Only Freedom from 4.00pm on 3 December at a special event. 

The event is a collaboration between Newcastle Writers Festival and the University of Newcastle’s Looking Ahead speaker series.

Boochani spent six years languishing in offshore immigration detention, during which time he witnessed those seeking asylum being exposed to conditions that grossly violated international refugee law. His harrowing experience led to him write the award-winning book No Friend but the Mountains (translated by Omid Tofighian), which was composed of text messages detailing the atrocities around him. His second book, Freedom, Only Freedom, features his prison writings with essays from experts on refugee rights, politics, literature, and history. 

Boochani will share his stories of resilience and shed light on Australian refugee policies. He will be in conversation with writer Fiona Kelly McGregor and the event will be held at the University’s Conservatorium of Music.

There will be a signing after the event thanks to MacLean’s Booksellers. 

Tickets are $30.