The Story of My Life: Refugees Writing in Oxford
In this collection of creative writing, seven refugees and asylum-seekers tell of their homes, flights, and experiences of seeking refuge and adapting to life in Oxford. Their writings explore poetry, prose and short story genres, offering insights into the reasons for their journeys and array of emotions, and bringing experiences from such countries as diverse as Afghanistan, Eritrea, Chad, Iran, Congo and Uganda. The writers collectively challenge us to ‘believe the unbelievable’.
5 June 2005
Press release
From Asylum Welcome & The Charlbury Press, Oxfordshire
To coincide with Refugee Week 2005, a national initiative to celebrate the positive contributions that refugees and asylum seekers make to the UK, and to promote understanding about why people seek sanctuary, Asylum Welcome and The Charlbury Press are pleased to announce the publication of:
The Story of My Life. Refugees Writing in Oxford
Edited by Carole Angier
In this collection of creative writing, seven refugees and asylum-seekers tell of their homes, flights, and experiences of seeking refuge and adapting to life in Oxford. Their writings explore poetry, prose and short story genres, offering insights into the reasons for their journeys and array of emotions, and bringing experiences from such countries as diverse as Afghanistan, Eritrea, Chad, Iran, Congo and Uganda. The writers collectively challenge us to ‘believe the unbelievable’.
The collection is the result of a creative writing class convened by Asylum Welcome and taught by the local, internationally acclaimed author and biographer Carole Angier. The classes took place over a period of six months, in which the budding writers were sensitively encouraged to explore their memories and tell their stories to others. As the classes gathered pace, the writers sought after something more durable: they began searching for words and exploring a new language, which opened up new worlds; and to record their stories and bring them to others.
The editor of the book, Carole Angier, is best known for her critically acclaimed biographies of Primo Levi and Jean Rhys. She is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and a regular literary reviewer. She has been an Asylum Welcome volunteer since 1999.
0954634241 95pp. ill.pl. June 2005 £5.00 paperback
Sales proceeds will go to support the work of Asylum Welcome, a charity working to support refugees and asylum seekers in Oxfordshire. Carole Angier and several of the writers are available for interview. All enquiries to Stephanie Kitchen, email [email protected] tel: 07966 045144.