Freedom, Only Freedom: Behrouz Boochani

This event was held on Sunday 3 December 2023

A man wearing a black t-shirt with long windswept hair with a white background and a bark textured boarder.

Award-winning Kurdish-Iranian journalist, writer, filmmaker, and human rights activist Behrouz Boochani will speak about his most recent book Freedom, Only Freedom on 3rd December at this very special event.

The event is a collaboration between Newcastle Writers Festival and the University of Newcastle’s Looking Ahead Speaker Series.

Boochani spent six years languishing in offshore immigration detention, during which time he witnessed those seeking asylum being exposed to conditions that grossly violated international refugee law. His harrowing experience led to him write the award-winning book No Friend but the Mountains (translated by Omid Tofighian), which was composed of text messages detailing the atrocities around him. His second book, Freedom, Only Freedom, features his prison writings with essays from experts on refugee rights, politics, literature, and history.

Boochani will share his stories of resilience and shed light on Australian refugee policies. He will be in conversation with writer Fiona Kelly McGregor and the event will be held at the University’s Conservatorium of Music.

Post Event Reception

There will be a signing after the event thanks to MacLean’s Booksellers.

Parking: Parking can be found on street or in the Civic West car park. Information regarding travelling to the University of Newcastle's City Campus can be found here.

Accessibility: Newcastle Conservatorium of Music, University of Newcastle, offers accessible seating. This seating is available to patrons who may be wheelchair or mobility aid users, those with low mobility or struggle with stairs, and their companions. Please contact events@newcastle.edu.au with any questions about how to book these seats.