Festival of Ideas: Noreen Masud

‘Flat landscapes had always given meaning to a world that made no sense to me,’ writes Noreen Masud. Growing up in a crowded home in Lahore to a British mother and Pakistani father, the empty surrounding fields offered the ‘fantasy of space to stretch out in, and distance from the chaos at home.’

In her memoir, A Flat Place, Masud explores the intersection between memory, mind, painful histories and the breathtaking flatlands she has come to love since arriving in the UK.

While mountains are usually celebrated in literature and popular culture, Masud has a profound respect for and appreciation of the quietening effect of flat landscapes. She also suggests that flat landscapes provide solace for those of us who don’t experience the conventionally heightened feeling which are such a symptom of our fast-paced social media-driven world.

Reflecting on the poetry, folklore and history written about these flat landscapes, Masud reckons with her memories, family history and relationship with these spaces.

This event is part of our new ticket pricing structure where we ask people to pay what they feel they can afford in accordance with their means. Read about more about it . Read on for the ticket prices for this event.

One free carer ticket can be booked at the same time for a paying disabled visitor. If you need to book more than one, please before booking to arrange.

No one will be turned away due to lack of funds, so please if you have any queries.

Pay It Forward £10

The Pay It Forward option enables you to book a ticket above the standard price, and will help to subsidise a ticket for someone who requires the Pay What You Can option. This option is aimed at people who are able to meet their basic needs and would like to help somebody else with the cost of their ticket.

• Is this for me? – I have access to a regular and stable income and I have the means and desire to contribute towards making the event affordable for others and supporting Bristol Ideas.

Recommended £8

This recommended price is based on what we’d traditionally charge for a similar event. It helps us make sure that basic costs are covered. This price is aimed at people who are able to meet their basic needs and have enough to live on.

• Is this for me? – I have access to a regular and disposable income, and I can comfortably afford the recommended ticket price.

Supported £5

This option is lower than the standard price. It is subsidised by Bristol Ideas and fellow audience members who have booked at the Pay It Forward rate. This price is aimed at people who could do with support to get by.

• Is this for me? – My access to income is low and unstable and I worry about meeting my basic needs. I would select a concession rate due to my personal circumstances.

Accessibility

• There are Blue Badge parking spaces on Union Street.
• There is level access to the event space.
• Events are amplified but there is no loop system.
• There are toilets for public use.
• Guide and assistance dogs are welcome.

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Please note we only refund tickets if the event is cancelled. Events start punctually and, out of consideration to other audience members and speakers, our policy is not to admit or issue refunds to latecomers. Full Terms and Conditions .

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