Life stories explored in week of literary events
A new literary event aims to make connections between life stories on the page and those waiting to be discovered in a cemetery.
Prize-winning authors from around the world and writers polishing their first creations will meet on Zoom for Life Lines from 7 to 13 September, staged by the “House of Life” heritage project of London’s most surprising Jewish cemetery.
Five author discussions will explore different aspects and forms of life story to anchor the idea of Willesden Jewish Cemetery being a place to explore and be inspired by past lives.
Two sessions are devoted to published biographies of personalities and families buried at Willesden, while others will look more widely at memoir, auto-fiction, obituary, eulogy and epitaph.
Two writing workshops from the Professional Writing Academy will offer development opportunities for unpublished writers.
Among those taking part:
Sally Bayley, author of Girl With Dove: A life built by books.
Howard Jacobson, winner of the Booker Prize in 2010 for The Finkler Question.
Guy Gunaratne grew up close to the cemetery in Neasden; his In our Mad and Furious City won the Dylan Thomas Prize and the Jhalak Prize in 2019.
Gabriel Krauze, also from Brent, whose first book Who They Was, has been long-listed for the 2020 Booker Prize.
Anne Sebba, author of Les Parisiennes, winner of the 2016 Franco-British Society book prize.
Hester Abrams, “House of Life” Project Leader at Willesden Cemetery, former Director of Jewish Book Week and curator of Life Lines said: “Our online literary event gives participants the opportunity to join unexpected conversations between writers from different backgrounds and reflect on the great themes of death and life. We’re thrilled that so many brilliant authors have agreed to take part. We are sure it will encourage people to come to the cemetery to be inspired by the lives of those buried there.”
Events are bookable at www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk/lifelines Panel discussions are free and writing workshops, limited to 20 places each, cost £15.
