The Presence of the Past

As conflict plays out across an unnamed region, the protagonist in Parramatta Laureate of Literature Yumna Kassab’s Politica imagines how she will later narrate her experiences: “We hadn’t spoken for years but then the war broke out...”  Sharing difficult stories is also at the heart of Miles Franklin Award winner Shankari Chandran’s Safe Haven, which follows a refugee threatened with deportation when she speaks out for other detainees. Sit down with Yumna and Shankari as they discuss their poignant and timely novels, which ask how, if possible, we can measure the cost of war and what lengths we will go to in the search for safety. With host Ashley Hay. This episode was recorded live at the 2024 Sydney Writers’ Festival.  If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel.   Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms.   After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media:  Instagram: @sydwritersfest  Facebook: @SydWritersFest  X (Twitter): @SydWritersFest  TikTok: @sydwritersfest  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.