Kings Heath Action for Refugees and Refugee Support Europe are excited to collaborate and welcome authors Dina Nayeri and Gulwali Passarlay to Birmingham.

At the event, Dina and Gulwali will share with us their journeys as refugees travelling to safety, as told in their respective books ‘The Ungrateful Refugee’ and ‘The Lightless Sky’.

In addition, Dr Gaja Maestri, Lecturer in Sociology at Aston University, will present the work of the university's Centre for Migration and Forced Displacement.

'The Lightless Sky' by Gulwali Passarlay is 'a heart-rending read that illuminates the plight of unaccompanied minors forced to leave their homes and loved ones [...] Rarely does Passarlay display self-pity and his fierce intelligence is apparent throughout. He also sheds light on the nefarious world of the smugglers who treat their human cargo with so little compassion. Describing the contempt of one agent, Passarlay observes sadly: “We were the scum who would make him rich.” His powerful account is a testament to the courage of all those fleeing conflict in search of safety.' - The Independent

'The Ungrateful Refugee' by Dina Nayeri 'gives voice to those whose stories are too often lost or suppressed. Braiding memoir, reportage and essayism, Nayeri allows those fortunate enough to have never been stateless or displaced to glimpse something of the hardships and subtleties of the refugee experience. Written with compassion, tenderness and a burning anger, her book appears at the end of a decade in which division and dislocation have risen to a terrible pitch. It speaks powerfully from - and to - the heart. Please read it' - Robert Macfarlane

Doors open from 6.30 p.m. The event will begin at 7.00 p.m. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Free entry for carers accompanying a ticketholder.

How to get here: https://www.aston.ac.uk/about/visit

All proceeds will be split between the host charities to support refugee communities in Birmingham and Europe. For more information about the host organisations, please visit their websites:

This event is supported by the Centre for Migration and Forced Displacement, Aston University: https://www.aston.ac.uk/research/bss/research-centres/centre-migration-forced-displacement