Writing in Solidarity
ABOUT THE SHOW
Shastra Deo, Nadine Chemali, Sean West, Sasha Jessop, Fred Leone & Wejdan Shamala. Pascalle Burton (MC)
In this genre-spanning anthology, artists and writers from across the globe use their art as a voice of solidarity with Gaza – a collective voice that asks for humanity, fairness and decency in the face of unimaginable destruction. Noor Hindi calls For Gaza ‘a living record of feeling and refusal: language sharpened by love, devastation and the insistence that Gaza’s people, culture and future cannot be erased’. Join some of the contributors to this urgent and necessary volume as they unite their voices in search of justice and a better world.
PART OF BRISBANE WRITERS FESTIVAL
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Shastra Deo was born in Fiji, raised in Melbourne, and lives in Brisbane. Her first book, The Agonist (UQP 2017), won the 2016 Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize and the 2018 ALS Gold Medal. Her second book, The Exclusion Zone (UQP 2023), was longlisted for the 2024 ALS Gold Medal.
Nadine Chemali is a writer and social worker who came to Australia as a child refugee from war torn Beirut. Her work explores displacement, identity and representation. She has worked across the settlement, justice and media sectors, written and hosted podcasts for nationwide broadcasters. If you can’t tell, Nadine has ADHD.
Sean West (he/they) is an Autistic poet, editor, support worker, and workshop facilitator based in Meanjin. They’ve been awarded a 2026 QWC/Varuna Fellowship. In 2025, they won a Queensland Premier’s Young Publishers and Writers Award and were runner-up in the Arts Queensland Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize.
Sasha Jessop is an English/Literature educator and lounge room scribe, living in Magandjin on unceded Yuggera and Turrbal lands. Her work appears in the anthology, For Gaza, which will be released later this year.
Fred Leone is an initiated Garrwa man and one of the Badjtala Songmen with Aboriginal, Tongan and South-Sea Islander roots. Fred’s role as a Songman sees him as one of the custodians of the traditional songs of the Badjtala tribe and one of a handful of keepers and custodians of their language.
Wejdan Shamala is a proud Palestinian and Aotearoa/New Zealand citizen. Her studies in international relations, philosophy and education have put her in constant awe of the human mind. Outside of her work in education, Wejdan spends her time engaging in philosophic debates (i.e, triggering people), trying to raise conscious children and advocating for human and animal rights. Her poetic works portray the intricacies of survival, remembrance and belonging.
Pascalle Burton is an experimental poet based in Magandjin. She also plays in the band The Stress of Leisure. Her collection About the Author is Dead (2018) is available through Cordite Books, and the anthology, For Gaza, co-edited with Jeet Thayil, is forthcoming from HarperCollins India.
PERFORMANCE DATES & TIMES
VENUE
TICKETS
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Suitable for all ages
18 months and under free on the knee; all other ages must hold a valid ticket
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Shastra Deo was born in Fiji, raised in Melbourne, and lives in Brisbane. Her first book, The Agonist (UQP 2017), won the 2016 Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize and the 2018 ALS Gold Medal. Her second book, The Exclusion Zone (UQP 2023), was longlisted for the 2024 ALS Gold Medal.
Nadine Chemali is a writer and social worker who came to Australia as a child refugee from war torn Beirut. Her work explores displacement, identity and representation. She has worked across the settlement, justice and media sectors, written and hosted podcasts for nationwide broadcasters. If you can’t tell, Nadine has ADHD.
Sean West (he/they) is an Autistic poet, editor, support worker, and workshop facilitator based in Meanjin. They’ve been awarded a 2026 QWC/Varuna Fellowship. In 2025, they won a Queensland Premier’s Young Publishers and Writers Award and were runner-up in the Arts Queensland Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize.
Sasha Jessop is an English/Literature educator and lounge room scribe, living in Magandjin on unceded Yuggera and Turrbal lands. Her work appears in the anthology, For Gaza, which will be released later this year.
Fred Leone is an initiated Garrwa man and one of the Badjtala Songmen with Aboriginal, Tongan and South-Sea Islander roots. Fred’s role as a Songman sees him as one of the custodians of the traditional songs of the Badjtala tribe and one of a handful of keepers and custodians of their language.
Wejdan Shamala is a proud Palestinian and Aotearoa/New Zealand citizen. Her studies in international relations, philosophy and education have put her in constant awe of the human mind. Outside of her work in education, Wejdan spends her time engaging in philosophic debates (i.e, triggering people), trying to raise conscious children and advocating for human and animal rights. Her poetic works portray the intricacies of survival, remembrance and belonging.
Pascalle Burton is an experimental poet based in Magandjin. She also plays in the band The Stress of Leisure. Her collection About the Author is Dead (2018) is available through Cordite Books, and the anthology, For Gaza, co-edited with Jeet Thayil, is forthcoming from HarperCollins India.
