The beautiful Ahdaf Soueif gave the opening address at the Perth Writers Festival last night to an enthralled audience. I came away inspired by the stories of great courage by young men and women, old women and ordinary people for whom art is a catalyst, and a conduit to freedom. The slides that she showed gave expression to the grief of ordinary people, honoured the young men who had given up their lives, or their eyesight, and gave artistic expression to great feelings of hope and determination to achieve a better life for all. And what a courageous and inspirational writer is Ahdaf Souief! If the length and strength of the applause that followed her presentation was anything to go by, she has had quite an impact on those present. Who knows how the art that arises after this festival is over, will be changed by her presence?
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