FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Irene Stephanou, co-curator
Johannesburg, South Africa, 7 October 2025
Drama for Life at the University of the Witwatersrand is hosting “In Breath and Ash: Poetry for Palestine,” an evening of poetry as part of its 17th Conference and Festival, on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at the Chris Seabrooke Hall. Doors open at 18h30 for a 19h00 start.
“Words can barely convey the pain that all caring people feel when they look at the devastation that has been wreaked in Gaza,” says Irene Stephanou, one of the event’s curators. “Even with ashes in our mouths, we are obliged to speak terrible truths.”
Johannesburg poets will read their own works alongside those of Palestinian poets, creating a space for reflection, mourning, remembrance, and solidarity.
This free event is open to all who wish to pause, catch their breath, and find a center from which to rededicate themselves to justice and peace.
The event is curated by Dintshitile Mashile, Irene Stephanou, and Paul Graham.
Participating artists include: Allan Kolski Horwitz, Carla Fonseca Mokgata, Cherae Halley, Dipika Nath, Hassen Lorgat, Hector Kunene, Moagi Kai, Irene Stephanou, Irfaan Mangera, Leila Henriques, Modise Sekgothe, Naadiya Omar, Nolwazi Mahlangu, Petro Janse van Vuuren, Phillipa Yaa De Villiers, Theodore Tsepo Mohlala-Kgaphola, Tumi Riet, Warren Nebe, Karabo Lambane, and Erin King.
Dintshitile Mashile, co-curator