Shokoofeh Azar is an Iranian-Australian author and journalist known for her evocative storytelling, poetic prose, and political views. Born in Iran, she began her career as a journalist but fled in 2010 due to political persecution. Her debut novel, The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree, translated into twelve languages, was shortlisted for the 2018 Stella Prize, the 2020 International Booker Prize, and nominated for PEN and National Awards. Her new novel, The Gowkaran Tree in the Middle of Our Kitchen, has so far been published in six countries. Her work blends magical realism with themes of religion, displacement, and resilience.
Saturday 25 October
9.30am
Winner of the 2025 Miles Franklin Literary Award Siang Lu and International Booker Prize shortlistee Shokoofeh Azar will talk about their deeply imaginative novels and explore why they love to play with tradition, myth and reality in surprising and enthralling ways. With Charlotte Guest.
buy ticketsSaturday 25 October
7.30pm (bar from 6.30)
At one time or another, we all find there was something we wish we’d said aloud, someone out there in the world waiting to hear an important message, a piece of history we feel our voice could have improved. Better Off Said offers the opportunity to find closure and sing truth from the rooftops before it’s too late. Four guests will speak to the phrase ‘The words I wish I’d said’, and a special guest will deliver a Living Eulogy to someone or something still of this earth, to celebrate the best in our lives while we're here to hear it. From members of the team behind international literary phenomenon Women of Letters, Better Off Said is a spoken-word art salon celebrating words, stories, and human experiences. Created by Marieke Hardy and Emilie Zoey Baker and featuring Antoinette Lattouf, Hannie Rayson, Brian Nankervis, Shokoofeh Azar and Andrew Rule, with music by Sarah Carroll.
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we honour and pay our respects to elders past and present.
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