Past Events

The four authors

SAADI YOUSSEF
A poet, not only of the Arab world, but of the human universe
Marilyn Hacker

MOURID BARGHOUTI
Barghouti writes with great sensitivity and insight about his own experiences of exile
The Guardian

HODA BARAKAT
Barakat has established herself as one of the most intriguing voices among modern Arab novelists
Anton Shammas

SAMUEL SHIMON
Shimon plunges into the pulsing essence of life to create an intimate and enthralling world that touches our hearts and souls
Fadhil al-Azzawi

The tour began at London's Poetry International where the two poets, Saadi Youssef and Mourid Barghouti joined Vénus Khoury-Ghata and Abdllatif Laâbi for an evening of poetry from Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon and Morocco.

Sunday 31 October
FESTIVAL OF STORIES
In association with New Writing North
Reading and discussion with:
Saadi Youssef, Mourid Barghouti
and Samuel Shimon
Introduced by Peter Mortimer

“Thanks for a wonderful evening” – Claire Malcolm, New Writing North

Wednesday 3 November
THE ASSYRIAN CLUB, London W5
In association with Westwords
Reading and discussion with:
Saadi Youssef, Mourid Barghouti,
Hoda Barakat and Samuel Shimon
Introduced by Nadim Sawalha
plus singer Yousip Aram


EDINBURGH
Thursday 4 November
SANDEMAN HOUSE
In association with Scottish Book Trust
Introduced by Robyn Marsack
Reading and discussion with:Saadi Youssef, Mourid Barghouti,
Hoda Barakat and Samuel Shimon

“It was such a good event” said Robyn Marsack, director of the Scottish Poetry Library
“We all really enjoyed the event and having such a fantastic line-up of authors together for one evening was a real privilege. We would be delighted to welcome Banipal back at any time in the future.” – Philippa Cochrane, director, Scottish Book Trust

Saturday 6 November
ARBEIA ROMAN FORT AND MUSEUM
In association with Writing on the Wall
Reading and discussion with:
Samuel Shimon and Hoda Barakat

Sunday 7 November
THE ROMAN ARMY MUSEUM
In association with Writing on the Wall
Reading and discussion with:
Samuel Shimon and Hoda Barakat

Tuesday 9 November
MANCHESTER CENTRAL LIBRARY
In association with Manchester
Libraries and Commonword
Reading with Hoda Barakatand Samuel Shimon

Wednesday 10 November
Litfest – LANCASTER’S
LITERATURE FESTIVAL
Reading and discussion with:
Saadi Youssef, Mourid Barghouti,
Hoda Barakat and Samuel Shimon
Introduced by Lemn Sissay

Saturday 13 November
SOUTHWOLD LITERATURE FESTIVAL
In association with Ways With Words
Reading and discussion with:
Saadi Youssef, Mourid Barghouti
and Samuel Shimon
Introduced by Penelope Lively