Day of the Imprisoned Writer

In partnership with Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann.

İlhan Sami Çomak is an award-winning and internationally regarded Kurdish poet who was imprisoned in Istanbul for 30 years, before finally being released in 2024. This year, to mark the Day of the Imprisoned Writer, we are honoured to have Çomak joining us in person, along with his interpreter Ipek Ozel, for an afternoon in conversation with author and Co-Chair of Irish PEN/PEN na hEireann, Liz McManus.

Please note the event will include a showing of A Hopeful Sun, a documentary about Çomak's life directed by Tommy Chavannes and Morgan Tipping.

This is a free event. Alternatively, by choosing a donation ticket to any amount, you would be contributing towards keeping DBF events accessible for all.

Please note we may be capturing candid imagery at this event for use on our social media and website.

Liz McManus is a novelist and short story writer. She was born in Montreal, Canada. She grew up in Ireland and has worked as an architect in Derry, Galway and Dublin. She was a columnist for seven years with The Sunday Tribune newspaper. Her literary awards include Listowel, Irish Pen (Short Story awards) and the Hennessy Award for New Irish Writing. Her first novel, Acts of Subversion (Poolbeg) was shortlisted for the Aer Lingus/Irish Times award. A Shadow in the Yard (Ward River Press) her second novel was published in 2013 and her latest novel When Things Come to Light (Arlen House) was published in 2013. She was a member of Wicklow Co Council and was elected to Dail Eireann in 1992 and Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal (1994-97). She chaired the Commission on the Needs of Travellers and has been a long-time campaigner for Womens’Rights. She has an MPhil with Distinction in Creative Writing (TCD 2012). Residencies include the Tyrone Guthrie Centre at Annaghmakerrig and the Hienrich Boll cottage on Achill Island. Currently she is a Board member of Irish PEN. In July 2024 she was awarded outright a PhD in Philosophy (Creative Writing) at the University of Limerick. Her tutors were Prof Joseph O’Connor and Dr Tina O’Toole. Currently she is Co Chair of Irish PEN/PEN na hEireann.

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