How do people voice the experiences they face as refugees and migrants, confronting trauma, bullying, the feeling of not belonging, and the silent memories they hold of lives lost? Kgshak Akec and Maryam Master talk to Catherine Keenan about how they draw on their personal experiences to create fiction that gives voice to those who cannot be heard.
Kgshak Akec is a South-Sudanese writer, performing artist and storyteller. A migrant and non-native English speaker, Kgshak’s debut novel, Hopeless Kingdom was shortlisted for the 2023 Miles Franklin Award. This work was inspired by her own journey of migrating to Australia and explores the relationship between a mother and her daughter as they settle, break, evolve and adapt in their new land.
Maryam Master is an Iran-born Australian screenwriter and playwright who made her start writing for shows such as Home and Away and Blinky Bill. Maryam is also the author of two novels, Exit Through the Gift Shop and No Words.
Catherine Keenan is executive director and co-founder of Story Factory, a not-for-profit creative writing centre for young people. Before that, Cath was a journalist, arts writer and literary editor at the Sydney Morning Herald.
Festival Ticket Information
To take full advantage of all the events on offer, we recommend purchasing a gold or silver weekend pass. Subject to availability you can also purchase a single ticket (see below). Please note, the Baroque Room is an 18+ venue.