The Alchemy of Truth: The power of story to change the world

This event took place on Tuesday, November 20, 2018
at the Vancouver Playhouse,(Map)
In partnership with alumni UBC

This series is made possible with the generous support of the R & J Stern Family Foundation

LITERATURE

About the Talk:

In this era of #metoo, #timesup, #letstalk and #blacklivesmatter, story-telling—individually and collectively—matters more than ever. In this talk, famed novelist Isabel Allende unpacks the power of story to, as she says, “make the world good—not just better.” An unrepentant feminist who exhorts audiences to speak with passion and purpose about what must not be forgotten, Allende explores themes of social justice, female empowerment, and personal and political freedom with hope and good humour.

Alix Ohlin, Chair of the UBC Creative Writing Program, moderated and question and answer period with the audience.

About the Speaker:

A literary legend, social activist and feminist icon, Isabel Allende has sold more than 50 million books in 30+ languages. Her boldly imaginative works have united generations of readers and established her as one of the most respected writers the world has ever known.

A native of Chile, Allende was forced into exile following the assassination of her uncle, President Salvador Allende. Since then, she has written 18 books, including The House of the Spirits, Eva Luna, Daughter of Fortune (an Oprah pick), and her latest, In the Midst of Winter. Her non-fiction books include the memoirs Paula and The Sum of Our Days.

Allende is the founder of the Isabel Allende Foundation, which promotes and preserves the fundamental rights of women and children to be empowered and protected. She was recently awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour in the U.S., as well as PEN Center USA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. She also received the Chilean National Prize for Literature in 2010 and in 2014.

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