We had an inspiring evening exploring the intersections of cultural identity, migration, and storytelling through the lens of a writer who has lived between two iconic cities: Istanbul and London.

The event featured the renowned Turkish author Elif Shafak, who shared reflections on her life across multiple geographies, the experiences of Yazidi women, and the emotional and intellectual complexities of writing in more than one language.

Shafak opened by emphasizing the essential role of fiction and storytelling in helping people connect with empathy and emotional intelligence. She noted that, while nonfiction often dominates discussions about current affairs, fiction offers a profound space to engage with human emotions—something she sees as vital in an era where emotions deeply influence public discourse and politics.

She also spoke about how her journey as a writer began in childhood, not as a planned career path, but rather as a response to solitude and boredom. Raised by a single working mother and often alone for long periods, she turned to books and storytelling as a way to imagine other possibilities. Writing became a natural extension of her inner world, shaped by the unique household of two women and a vibrant inner life.

A deeply moving part of the evening focused on her latest novel, There Are Rivers in the Sky, and one of its central characters, Narin—a Yazidi girl from Turkey. Through Narin’s story, Shafak explored the cultural and historical suffering of the Yazidi people, particularly during and after the 2014 genocide. She described the Yazidis as one of the most persecuted and misunderstood minorities in history, whose traditions are passed down not through written records, but through oral storytelling—songs, ballads, and folk tales.

Shafak recounted the painful process of researching the Yazidi genocide, during which she conducted interviews with survivors, human rights defenders, and Yazidi families. These conversations, she said, were emotionally difficult, as they involved deeply traumatic memories. She described how, in the attacks, the deliberate poisoning of water sources and the killing of elders were aimed at destroying not just individuals, but collective memory and identity. Women and children were abducted, and thousands remain missing today.

As a writer, she explained, the responsibility in telling such stories involves both deep listening and learning. Only after absorbing as much as possible, she said, could she allow her intuition and imagination to take over—at which point the characters begin to lead the storytelling.

The event also delved into:
– The influence of Istanbul and London on her literary voice
– Narratives of migration, identity, and belonging
– The challenges of writing between East and West
– The power of literature in defending freedom of expression

It was a powerful and unforgettable evening that reminded us how stories connect people across borders, generations, and cultures—and how literature can give voice to those too often forgotten.

Elif Shafak is an award-winning British-Turkish novelist and storyteller. She has published 21 books, 13 of which are novels and her books have been translated into 58 languages. The Island of Missing Trees was a finalist for the Costa Award, British Book Awards, RSL Ondaatje Prize and Women’s Prize for Fiction and was a Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick. 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and RSL Ondaatje Prize; and was Blackwell’s Book of the Year. The Forty Rules of Love was chosen by BBC among the 100 Novels that Shaped Our World. The Architect’s Apprentice was chosen for The Queen’s Reading Room. Shafak holds a PhD in political science and she has taught at various universities in Turkey, the US and the UK, including St Anne's College, Oxford University, where she is an honorary fellow. She also holds an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Bard College. Shafak is a Fellow and a Vice President of the Royal Society of Literature and has been chosen among BBC’s 100 most inspiring and influential women. An advocate for women's rights, LGBTQ+ rights and freedom of expression, Shafak is an inspiring public speaker and twice TED Global speaker. She contributes to major publications around the world and she was awarded the medal of Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. In 2017 she was chosen by Politico as one of the twelve people “who will give you a much-needed lift of the heart”. She has judged numerous literary prizes, including The PEN Nabokov Prize and has chaired the Wellcome Prize. Shafak is the recipient of the Halldór Laxness International Literature Prize for her contribution to "the renewal of the art of storytelling". In 2024, Shafak was awarded the British Academy President's Medal for "her excellent body of work which demonstrates an incredible intercultural range".  Her website can be found at www.elifshafak.com and her Substack is called "Unmapped Storylands".