Chris Gallagher, Director Tasmanian Writers’ Centre
FOR REFUGEE WEEK 2014
The launch of three beautiful books depicting life as a child in Southern Sudan will be launched this Friday at 5.30pm Moonah Arts Centre. The books are part of a three-year collaborative project between the Tasmanian Writers’ Centre, writers, an illustrator, a designer and the Southern Sudanese (Madi) community.
When I was a Boy in Sudan and When I was a Girl in Sudan will be launched this Friday, along with a personal memoir by Sarafino Enadio and Terry Whitebeach titled A Little Peace.
The children’s books capture the essence of childhood in a Sudanese village and are the stories from the memories of Paskalina Eiyo and Sarafino Enadio, written together with Terry Whitebeach and combine both Ma’di and English. Gay McKinnon has provided the exquisite illustrations for both books and Julie Hawkins donated her time to design the books. They represent hours of work; running workshops with Sudanese children living in Hobart, conversations with Madi elders, interviews and research by a team of passionate writers, illustrators and Sudanese storytellers. Ninna Milikin also produced a short film covering the early stages of the project.
Over the three years support has been received from The Australia Council for the Arts, The W.D Booth Charitable Trust, The Regional Arts Fund and the Tasmanian Community Fund.
It is hoped that every primary school in Tasmania and throughout Australia will purchase the books and for every book sold the funds will assist in paying for the freight for the books to reach children and schools in Southern Sudan.
Books are $15 and will be available for purchase at the launch, through all good bookshops and via the Tasmanian Writers’ Centre.
