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UEL hosts major conference on human rights in Tamil literature

Friday 22 September 2006

As renewed conflict currently destroys hopes for a lasting peace in Sri Lanka, a major conference on the subject of human rights in Sri Lankan Tamil literature is set to be held on 23-24 September at the University of East London (UEL) Stratford campus.

The 33rd European Tamil Literary Conference, organised by UEL in partnership with the London Tamil Literary Forum, will focus on exile Tamil writing, Muslim literature and the experiences of marginalised groups such as refugees, Dalith (‘untouchables’), women and children.

Participants from North America, Europe, Sri Lanka, India and Britain will attend the prestigious annual literary conference. Speeches, debates and readings will take place in Tamil during the day, before non-Tamil speakers are invited to attend evening cultural events, including short film screenings and performances by a dance troupe and theatre groups.

Approximately 180,000 Tamils currently reside in the U.K, with 8-10,000 of them living in Newham. Authors, editors, journalists and human-rights activists were among the thousands who fled Sri Lanka in 1983 after the pogroms against Tamils began.

After the pogroms, a new form of writing, known as ‘Puhalida Ilakkiyam' or ‘Exile Writing’, arose, linking experiences of persecution in Sri Lanka with the challenges faced by refugees in Europe. Tamil exiles were determined to promote their independent writing and arts, and it was in London that the first language, cultural, music and dance schools of the Tamil diaspora began and where the first Tamil literary publications originated.

Jasbir Panesar, Community Development Co-ordinator at UEL, said: “We are very happy to be hosting this prestigious international event here at the University of East London. Many of Newham’s Tamil population have close connections with UEL, and it is a great opportunity for visitors to experience the borough’s tremendous cultural diversity.”

The 33rd European Tamil Literary Conference will be held at the University of East London’s Great Hall at the Stratford campus in Romford Rd, Stratford. The event will take place from 9.30-21.30 on Saturday 23 September and from 9.30-20.30 on Sunday 24 September.

For further details, contact Rajes Bala on 020 8889 7827 or rajesbala@hotmail.com.

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For details and pictures contact Patrick Wilson: 020 8223 2061 or 07951 797 975

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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