CU Introduces a Debut Author with Revolutionary Words – Meet Shani Boianjiu ****************************************************************************************** * Faculty of Humanities Introduces a Debut Author with Revolutionary Words – Meet Shani Bo ****************************************************************************************** Israeli writer Shani Boianjiu is no ordinary 25 year old. Born in Jerusalem and raised on Lebanese border where, she tells us, school would often be cancelled due to conflict. Toda a bestselling novel, Harvard degree, numerous literacy recognitions, and extensive experie Israeli military under her belt. The talk, arranged by Charles University, Faculty of Humanities, celebrated and explored h first, critically acclaimed publication The People of Forever Are Not Afraid [ URL "http:/ www.womensprizeforfiction.co.uk/title/the-people-of-forever-are-not-afraid"] (2012), a com age narration of three small-town Israeli girls as they are enrolled into the army at eigh journeys invite us to an intimate, must-read account of women in the army; a matrix of con danger, hierarchy, politics, sexism and unapologetic reality, dramatically contrasted with approachable themes of womanhood. Illuminated with the cutting, witty personality and deep experiences of Boianjiu, it’s no wonder that her list of achievements are a bit of a mouth star on a global stage – her book will soon be published in 23 countries, with a Czech ver available, and has been personally translated by multilingual Boianjiu into English and He successfully caught the eye of numerous book, magazine and web recommendations including T Journal top 10 fiction titles in 2013 and The Algemeiner’s Jewish 100 (to name a couple). first Israeli and youngest author in 2013 to be longlisted for the UK’s Women’s Prize for "http://www.womensprizeforfiction.co.uk/2013-prize/longlist"] , the youngest winner of the Foundation’s Under 35 award, a finalist for the Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature and for the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award. Next stop: world domination. Along with the audience, the panellists quizzing Boianjiu were anthropologist Yasar Abu Gh studies Professor Petr Pavlik, which brought up inevitably interesting questions and equal answers from Boianjiu. Throughout, her responses conveyed a worldly, humanist heart, espec to nationality, politics and language: “the book crosses the borders of nationality, from segregation” Boianjiu comments, “love is the only homeland. Alleviation of suffering is th not language. In my art, I am free.” She spoke with determination, yet was surprisingly op covered the topics of war, international peace and negotiation. She never “beat around the and I instantly noted and admired this when we were introduced before the debate. It was s to conduct an interview on a variety of taboo issues in such an honest and raw manner, and asking her personal questions. For instance, in relation to her military experience, we co on rape and sexual harassment in the army: “it occurs in restaurants, the Israeli army, th since the beginning of time, it is everywhere. The Israeli army is doing well (with solvin room for improvement. We need greater cultural discussions between armies”. Consistently, Boianjiu had underlying but passionate pacifist and feminist convictions in and she continuously related her beliefs to the characters and themes in her novel: “there characters, similar but different, their voices blend, there’s a lot of hazing going on. T female leads) not sitting in a café in Tel Aviv. I cannot make them like you because guess you. They aren’t from England or the U.S, and by the way, they were never asked”. As an ac myself, I listened eagerly to her eye-opening narratives of hatred and discrimination in s and media towards Israeli and Jewish women. I have never learnt so much from such a brief I anticipate that there’s far more to learn from her novel. We explored so many topics that in just over an hour, I felt like I’d travelled the world. me with her overwhelmingly well-informed arguments, and she appeared much older than her a this. She was striking, fiery and brimming with stage presence, but it was her spirited hu found the most impressionable. Her speeches were peppered with laughter, and she responded most exclusive experiences of racism, sexism, war, with light, intelligent humour: “nothin happened (referring to her military service) except my flip flops broke”. Maybe this was m her experiences, I wasn’t sure. I was only sure about one thing: she had a message, a stor told, and undeniable talent to go with it. “Wherever I go, I try and learn”, she said “racism, intolerance, sexism, classism, mockey, mindedness… it’s what comes from producing art. Everyone wants to be a star. It’s the pric pay.” Well, despite this, I doubt anyone will stop her… and my conclusion? The People of F read. Poppy Gerrard-Abbott is an Erasmus student studying BA write for the iForum to build on her journalism skills Czech culture and life in Prague through attending loc Poppy saw the iForum as an exciting opportunity to pur experience that has brought some exciting opportunitie such placements to future students.