In this episode of arts24, Eve Jackson sits down with one of the most celebrated British-Turkish novelists of our time, Elif Shafak. With over 20 books translated into more than 50 languages, Shafak believes fiction remains one of the last truly democratic spaces, where stories can build empathy, challenge polarisation and create connections across cultures. Her latest novel, "There Are Rivers in the Sky", takes readers on a sweeping journey through history and geography, tracing a single drop of water from ancient Mesopotamia to modern-day Iraq, against the urgent backdrop of climate crisis and cultural loss.
Elif discusses how nature becomes a powerful storyteller in her work, why she chose to give voice to the Yazidi community, and what it means to write as an exile grappling with censorship, identity and the fight for artistic freedom.
Beyond her novels, Elif Shafak is a passionate public intellectual, speaking out on women’s rights, democracy and minority voices. She shares how literature can foster empathy across gender, class and culture, and reflects on the role of the writer in today’s divided world.
Join us for a deep and inspiring conversation with a writer who sees stories as a way to heal, connect and transform.
English (US) · 