The Muslims in Canada Archives (MiCA) will be hosting Murray Hogben on Zoom for a talk about his recently released book ‘Minarets on the Horizon’ is a collection of stories about some of the earliest Muslim Canadians, and the Muslim community that has existed since. The talk will aim to cover topics such as the treatment of Muslim people from the earliest days to the present, the importance of recordkeeping in the Canadian Muslim communities,…
Inner journeys and voyages of discovery define the latest works of celebrated Canadian writers Shani Mootoo and Pamela Mordecai. Giller-shortlisted writer and visual artist Shani Mootoo brings us Cane | Fire, an immersive and vivid collection that marks a long-awaited return to poetry. Through evocative and sensual prose, Mootoo’s narrator moves from Ireland to San Fernando, and finally to Canada – triggering questions about making and reimagining a life. Mordecai presents de book of Joseph: A Performance Poem, the third…
Through their latest novels, authors Didier Leclair and Mariam Pirbhai examine Canada’s often-touted openness and multiculturalism under a closer lens. Leclair’s Toronto, I Love You (translated by Elaine Kennedy) is part love letter, part social critique. After fleeing unrest and misery in Benin, protagonist Raymond Dossougbé is initially enamored with his new home in Toronto, but he soon begins to uncover complex social dynamics in a community unwilling to adapt. In Isolated Incident, Mariam Pirbhai gives voice to Muslim communities confronted by Islamophobia. When…
Meet storytellers from unique communities around the world and across the local neighbourhoods of Toronto in the World in Other Words. Curated by Nedra Rodrigo, this event features established and emerging voices from the Tamil writing community in Ontario. With a mix of readings, poetry and short films, the showcase will celebrate the vibrant community of Torontonian storytellers sharing Tamil experiences. This event is presented in partnership with Tam Fam Lit Jam. Participants: Geetha Sukumaran Devakanathan…
Join award-winning writer and visual artist Shani Mootoo in conversation with award-winning poet, writer and scholar, Pamela Mordecai, as they discuss the vast landscape of own voices literature and their roles as storytellers. This program is presented as part of the Ancestral Voices series. Presented in partnership with York, Durham and Peel Region Libraries. Shani Mootoo was born in Ireland and grew up in Trinidad. She is an author and multimedia visual artist. Her…