We are beyond delighted to confirm that this year’s Allingham Lecture will be delivered by Nelofer Pazira-Fisk. This lady requires no introduction to those who were lucky enough to attend the Fifth Court podcast recording at last year’s festival. For those less fortunate, well...
Nelofer is an award-winning Afghan-Canadian author, journalist and filmmaker. She was based in Beirut, for fifteen years working alongside her late husband Robert Fisk. Nelofer reported for Canadian television and radio as well as UK and Canadian newspapers from Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey, Egypt and Syria.
In 2001, she starred in the film Kandahar, based on her real-life story, which premiered at Cannes Film Festival. She has directed and produced several films including Return to Kandahar (2003), Act of Dishonour (2010), and This is Not a Movie which premiered at Toronto Film Festival (2019).
Nelofer’s 2006 book, A Bed of Red Flowers: In Search of My Afghanistan, won the Drainie-Taylor Biography Prize. She is a recipient of Gemini Award, New York’s Media Award, Gabriel Award and A.D. Dunton Award of Distinction. She has a degree in journalism and English literature (Carleton University), an MA in Anthropology, Sociology and Religion (Concordia University), and two honorary doctorates from Carleton and Thomson River universities in Canada.
Recently, she saw the completion and publication of Robert Fisk’s last book – Night of Power: The Betrayal of the Middle East.
We cannot wait for Nelofer to share her profound knowledge of the history and peoples of the Middle East. While we may all hope that November will see some relief from the tragedy of that region, there is no doubt that there will still be a need to hear truth spoken with passionate eloquence.
Admission is free and all welcome at 8.15 pm, Wednesday, November 5th, in the Abbey Arts Centre, Ballyshannon.