I loved this conversation about writers, painters and filmmakers whose work is to carry memory, not to live in the past, but to inform our present as so beautifully articulated by Elif Shafak. I just published this piece on Haitian filmmaker Rachele Magloire on her film, 1964:Simitye Kamoken which centers on a forgotten massacre under the Duvalier Dictatoship and the complex relationship with the Dominican Republic from where Haitian rebels launch an overthrow of Duvalier, subsequently crushed. She references the 1965 deployment of the Marine occupation of the DR as the largest deployment since WWII as you do in your converstaion - these relativley unknown histories are so essential to our understanding - an understanding that is so sorely in danger today as Elif Shafak references with our information overload and the threats to libraries and institutions. Thank you for your conversation. https://substack.com/home/post/p-168491673
-What a great conversation, Junot! I was blown away when Elif revealed this wasn’t choreographed—that the conversation just rolled. Went deep fast! And great reminder that the arts, and storytelling holds the world’s memory!
One thing that made me smile was to think that anyone (I’m thinking current leaders)! would call Gilgamesh a loser:) He, in his own right was the most powerfully king in the known world. And prob out of this hubris, or because power seeks immortality—he goes off to find the secret. And in his failure, (his journey) unbeknownst to him, he finds it…isn’t it ironic, we still read him. So, he immortalized himself after all!
Profoundly moving: “‘Memory meets amnesia and silences, History and migrations and Minorities, Women and matriarchs, the past; time and generational shifts. Heritage, silences and keepers of the past amidst the Eternal present. Is the Future a damning threatening apocalypsis or historical muscle. We must Build solidarity with the past and connect lived experience to writing. Where does Community from ancestral presence fit? Unless we remember we cannot repair and so much more.- The urge never to be hurt again. How to stop Production of hierarchies and this notion of the other. Writing helps us to tap into something bigger than us and does not fit a particular geography or profile. Truly appreciate this and would love to listen to more writers in conversation with you. Thank you so very much.
really and truly one of the best conversations, thank you, Elif and all who joined us.
I loved this conversation about writers, painters and filmmakers whose work is to carry memory, not to live in the past, but to inform our present as so beautifully articulated by Elif Shafak. I just published this piece on Haitian filmmaker Rachele Magloire on her film, 1964:Simitye Kamoken which centers on a forgotten massacre under the Duvalier Dictatoship and the complex relationship with the Dominican Republic from where Haitian rebels launch an overthrow of Duvalier, subsequently crushed. She references the 1965 deployment of the Marine occupation of the DR as the largest deployment since WWII as you do in your converstaion - these relativley unknown histories are so essential to our understanding - an understanding that is so sorely in danger today as Elif Shafak references with our information overload and the threats to libraries and institutions. Thank you for your conversation. https://substack.com/home/post/p-168491673
-What a great conversation, Junot! I was blown away when Elif revealed this wasn’t choreographed—that the conversation just rolled. Went deep fast! And great reminder that the arts, and storytelling holds the world’s memory!
One thing that made me smile was to think that anyone (I’m thinking current leaders)! would call Gilgamesh a loser:) He, in his own right was the most powerfully king in the known world. And prob out of this hubris, or because power seeks immortality—he goes off to find the secret. And in his failure, (his journey) unbeknownst to him, he finds it…isn’t it ironic, we still read him. So, he immortalized himself after all!
Anyway, great conversation, thanks to both!
Two of my favorite authors having a conversation that is illuminating and inspiring! Thank you both!
I listened to about a third and love it ❤️ Memory keepers, silence, bodies being marked (scarred). Deep.
The ax forgets but the tree remembers. This is so on point to my (our) family story. I'll have to finish up as little later.
Great conversation, Junot. I was not familiar with her work but will be looking her up! Thanks.
What a beautiful and gracious woman I must get her books
Profoundly moving: “‘Memory meets amnesia and silences, History and migrations and Minorities, Women and matriarchs, the past; time and generational shifts. Heritage, silences and keepers of the past amidst the Eternal present. Is the Future a damning threatening apocalypsis or historical muscle. We must Build solidarity with the past and connect lived experience to writing. Where does Community from ancestral presence fit? Unless we remember we cannot repair and so much more.- The urge never to be hurt again. How to stop Production of hierarchies and this notion of the other. Writing helps us to tap into something bigger than us and does not fit a particular geography or profile. Truly appreciate this and would love to listen to more writers in conversation with you. Thank you so very much.
Beautiful conversation. Which book of hers should I read first?