Sydney Writers' Festival - Yumna Kassab: Politica

Inaugural Parramatta Laureate in Literature, Yumna Kassab shares her love for her city, its writers, and above all, her football club.

Born and raised in Western Sydney, Yumna has let her connection to Parramatta shape her writing over the years. Her latest novel Politica is a timely exploration of the lasting impact of war and revolution on a town, its people, and their lives.

Sit down with Yumna to discuss her body of work, which Western Sydney writers to watch, and the upcoming Wanderers season.

Hosted by Sarah Malik

Please note this session will be audio and video recorded.

Date: Wednesday 22nd May 2024

Time: 6pm - 7pm

Location: Dharug Country, Civic Gallery, Level 4, PHIVE 5 Parramatta Square

Yumna Kassab

Yumna Kassab is a writer based in Sydney. She is the author of The House of Youssef, Australiana and The Lovers. Her latest book is Politica, which she says is an imaginary history of the Arab world or else a feminine telling of politics. Her books have been listed for the Miles Franklin Award, Stella Prize, Victorian Premier's Literary Awards, Prime Minister's Literary Award, Queensland Literary Awards and NSW Premier's Literary Awards. She is the inaugural Parramatta Laureate of Literature.

Sarah Malik

Sarah Malik is a Walkley-award winning Australian investigative journalist, author and executive producer.  Her debut collection of memoir stories Desi Girl: On feminism, race, faith and belonging was published by the University of Queensland Press in 2022. Her second book Safar: Muslim women’s stories of travel and transformation was published by Hardie Grant in the same year. Her critically acclaimed memoir Desi Girl was labelled by Alice Pung as a “A triumph! Sarah’s candour, generosity, warmth and insight are a joy and comfort to read. The book I wish I’d had as a young writer.” The book was taught to creative writing students at Western Sydney University and RMIT. In 2024 she was judge for the Douglas Stewart non-fiction prize, as part of the NSW Premier’s Literary awards.

Presented by Sydney Writers' Festival with support from PHIVE.

Image Credit - Tiger Webb

PHIVE sits on the lands and waters of the Burramattagal of the Dharug nation and we acknowledge Burramatta as significant place of ceremony, story and tradition. We pay our respects to Dharug Ancestors and Elders, past, present and future and extend our respect to all First Nations people joining this program and visiting PHIVE.

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