masterclass for refugees and asylum seekers
We are delighted to announce that the Creative Writing Academy for Refugees & Asylum Seekers, founded by Sulaiman Addonia, is back with a new masterclass fully funded by International House of Literature, Passa Porta and Bib Sans Souci.
This course is for refugees and asylum seekers who always wanted to write, tell their own stories in their own voice, but never had the space or knew where to start.
Taught in English, Write Your Story Your Own Way will equip you with the basic ingredients of creative writing in a safe relaxed environment. The course will provide you with an insight into plot creation, characterisation, dialogue, points of view, style, as well as help you edit & revise your texts. We have a practical approach which helps to get students to complete a working draft during the masterclass.
Our students from previous courses went on to perform their work at national & international literary festivals, including the Asmara-Addis Literary Festival (In Exile) held in collaboration with Bib Sans Souci, Passa Porta, Bozar Afropolitan Festival, & Commune d'Ixelles.
course outcomes
- boost your confidence
- identify your singular voice & use it
- apply the basic ingredients of telling a story in your work
- write your own story, your own way
- analyse and discuss fiction
- have the chance to meet established writers & ask questions in case you’d like to continue writing
entry requirement
Only enthusiasm and discipline, both the backbones of writing.
Places allocated on a first come first served basis, and are limited to 11 participants per masterclass as we aim to maintain a high level of interaction amongst participants and with the facilitators.
language
The course is taught in English, so students must be have a basic level of English. However, you are welcome to write in your own mother tongue or in any other language you feel comfortable.
dates
A two-week part-time course (10 hours a week)
Week One at Bib Sans Souci:
Tuesday-Friday 19-22 April
Times: 11AM-4PM, lunch break 1-2PM
Week Two at Passa Porta:
Monday-Tuesday: 25 & 26 April
Wednesday: Off
Thursday-Friday: 28 & 29 April
Times: 11AM-4PM, lunch break 1-2PM
Locations
Bib Sans Souci, rue Sans Souci 131, 1050 Ixelles.
Passa Porta, rue Antoine Dansaert 46, 1000 Bruxelles.
course teachers
To Be Confirmed. Previous teachers included: Annelies Verbeke, Sofie Verraest, Ubah Cristina Ali Farah, and Sulaiman Addonia, who himself came as a refugee to the UK and eventually became a published writer.
transport and lunch
We will reimburse transport expenses of students and to provide lunch as well tea/coffee on the premises.
diversity
We will strive to make sure our course intake is representative of the rich mix of refugee communities in Belgium.
ask questions or register
To register for the masterclass or request more information, contact maren.moreau@elsene.brussels.