Writer and Political Activist Chris Abani ‘Stories of Struggle, Stories of Hope: Art, Politics and Human Rights

When:
Wednesday, Oct 22, 2014 7:00p -
9:00p

Where:
Carling-Sorenson Theatre at Babson College
19 Babson College Drive
Wellesley, MA 02482

EventScheduled OfflineEventAttendanceMode

Admission:
FREE

Categories:
Art, Lectures & Conferences, Nightlife, Performing Arts, University

Event website:
babsonarts.org

"In Stories of Struggle, Stories of Hope: Art, Politics and Human Right"s, writer and political activist Chris Abani examines the role of art and literature in defending human rights and democracy. Mixing the personal and the political in a talk that is both serious and witty, he reminds us of our common humanity. The event is free but registration is requested at babsonarts.org or call (781) 239-5622. Direct link is http://www.eventbrite.com/e/chris-abani-tickets-12802810551?aff=eac2.

Chris Abani presents 'Stories of Struggle, Stories of Hope: Art, Politics and Human Rights,' Oct. 5.


Chris Abani was born and raised in Nigeria. At the age of 16, he published his first novel, and was imprisoned and tortured by the Nigerian government for a fictional story that mirrored a real-life coup. After two more arrests and 18 months on Nigerian death row, Chris was exiled from Nigeria and has been a resident of the U.S. since 1999. Chris now conveys the horrors of his experience in Nigeria and its prisons through searing poetry.Chris will speak at UAA on the role of art and literature in defense of human rights and democracy. Chris examines this loaded question in momentous and often very funny keynotes that draw on his acclaimed body of work, as well as his own political activism. Mixing the personal and the political, he reminds us of our common humanity.Chris holds a B.A. in English, an M.A. in gender and culture, an M.A. in English and a Ph.D. in literature and creative writing. He is currently a professor at the University of California, Riverside, and the recipient of the PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award, the Prince Claus Award, a Lannan Literary Fellowship, a California Book Award, a Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, a PEN/Beyond Margins Award, the Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award and a Guggenheim Award. He has published over 13 prose and poetry publications. Chris is a forceful speaker who can draw belly laughs while also making a deeply personal statement on the luminous and redemptive power of art to battle tyranny.


BabsonARTS Creativity and innovation have long been hallmarks of Babson College’s focus on entrepreneurship—and what better way to enrich the Babson experience than with an array of challenging and engaging arts events? BabsonARTS presents performances, exhibitions, films, and conversations designed to be entertaining and to shine a spotlight on global issues, social and environmental concerns, the creative process, and the arts as a business. The generosity of Richard W. ’68 and Sandra L. Sorenson makes our programming possible. For more information about BabsonARTS visit babsonarts.org.


This event is presented by BabsonARTS and free for everyone.

Share this event

Add to:

Reddit
10/22/2014 19:00:00 10/22/2014 21:00:00 America/New_York Writer and Political Activist Chris Abani ‘Stories of Struggle, Stories of Hope: Art, Politics and Human Rights "In Stories of Struggle, Stories of Hope: Art, Politics and Human Right"s, writer and political activist Chris Abani examines the role of art and literature in defending human rights and democracy.... Carling-Sorenson Theatre at Babson College, Wellesley, MA 02482 false MM/DD/YYYY

Sponsored events