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Pluralism: Strengthening respect for diversity
This event took place on May 18, 2021
Presented in partnership with the Global Centre for Pluralism

Visit the UBC Bookstore to purchase the speaker’s books
This series is made possible with the generous support of alumni UBC
Media Partner: The Georgia Straight


About the Speaker:
Maaza Mengiste is a novelist and essayist whose work examines the individual lives at stake during migration, war and exile. She was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and lived in Nigeria and Kenya before moving to the United States.
Mengiste’s critically acclaimed debut novel, Beneath the Lion’s Gaze, was selected by The Guardian as one of the 10 best contemporary African books. Her second novel, The Shadow King, was a finalist for both The Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Fiction and the Man Booker Prize. It revolves around an army of ordinary women who join the front lines to fight against Mussolini’s fascists in 1935 Ethiopia.
About the Masterclass:
This virtual Masterclass connects a small group of UBC students with Maaza Mengiste to discuss creative solutions to real-world problems. The class is free and open to the broader UBC community, but participants are asked to register in advance.
Annual Pluralism Lecture
The Annual Pluralism Lecture, now in its 8th year, provides global audiences the opportunity to learn from compelling individuals who reflect on how to build and strengthen pluralist societies. The 2021 Lecture features Ethiopian author and Booker Prize finalist, Maaza Mengiste.
Registration is not required. The Lecture will be live-streamed on the Global Centre for Pluralism’s Facebook page.
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