Two of the many writers who are threatened or silenced are given the chance to speak. The Iranian Parvin Ardalan, writer, journalist and militant feminist, was forced to leave her country.

Philo Ikonya (Kenya) and Easterine Kire Iralu (Nagaland, India) have both had to leave their countries because of their work as writers. They currently live in Oslo and Tromsø Cities of Refuge. On Thursday 16th September the Oslo audience get to meet them and hear their stories at the Deichman Library, at 7 pm.

Judging by the catalogs from travel agents, Kenya is a safe destination that offers great holiday adventures. Philo Ikonya's latest collection of poetry, Aus dem Gefängnis - Liebesgesänge (Out of prison - Lovesongs) points out that this image is not the whole truth.

Philo Ikonya is a Kenyan writer, journalist and human rights activist, and presently Oslo City of Refuge's ICORN Guest Writer. She was elected president of Kenyan PEN in 2007. Ikonya has written articles for journals, web magazines and blogs, often commenting on the social and political situation in Kenya. She has also written poetry and novels, and her novel "Kenya, will you marry me", has been translared and published in several countries. She has worked as a lecturer of Spanish at Tangaza College of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, and as a a socio-political commentator in both radio and television. Philo Ikonya was threatened and harassed for her work and political activism, and can no longer work in Kenya. 

I turn into love

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Please continue to read more of Philo Ikonya's poetry!