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wasafirimag.bsky.social
Wasafiri Magazine
@wasafirimag.bsky.social
960 followers 590 following 300 posts
The magazine of international literature since 1984. Order Wasafiri 123 now!

https://linktr.ee/wasafiri
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wasafirimag.bsky.social
It was a delight to host writer and translator @antonhur.com for a brilliant, punchy public lecture here in London on Korean literature in translation, literary prizes, race and discrimination in the publishing industry, and what success as a writer really means.

Thanks to all for coming!
A man with parted black hair stands in front of a lectern. He looks down at his screen and has his hands raised in front of him. Behind him is a green banner with magazine covers on it. A man with parted black hair stands in front of a lectern. He looks down at his laptop screen and has his hands in ok symbols in front of him. Behind him is a green banner with magazine covers on it. A man with parted black hair stands in front of a screen. He has his arms raised in a shrug. The text on the screen reads 'Prizing Korean Literature' A man with parted black hair stands in front of a lectern. He looks down at his laptop screen and has his arms crossed in front of him. Behind him is a green banner with magazine covers on it. To his right is a large display screen.
November 12, 2025 at 1:30 PM
wasafirimag.bsky.social
Shastri Akella reads from his short story, ‘Hail the Vande Mataram!' – published in Wasafiri 123. The story imagines a childhood friendship between the nephew of a freedom fighter and the son of British colonial officer General Dyer, in the weeks leading up to the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
November 11, 2025 at 4:17 PM
wasafirimag.bsky.social
Alton Melvar M Dapanas speaks to @mailbykite.bsky.social on how her latest book ANNAH, INFINITE reshapes speculative nonfiction, and disputes the racial, gendered, and ableist biases of fraught literary and artistic spaces.

Read now: buff.ly/YrKYEPD
Alton Melvar M Dapanas and Khairani Barokka in front of an Indonesian landscape painting, title text, and Wasafiri logo
November 10, 2025 at 4:02 PM
wasafirimag.bsky.social
It was a packed room for our Toxic Love & Borders event with Sophie Chauhan, Sasha Debevec-McKenney, lisa minerva luxx, & Vida Adamczewski ✨ The poetry afternoon was held at whitechapelgallery.bsky.social in partnership with the Centre for Contemporary Writing (QMUL) & @fitzcarraldoeds.bsky.social.
Four people sit facing an audience. To the left is a person holding the microphone. They have short black hair and are wearing a black denim jacket. Next along is a person with very long blonde hair. They are wearing a white long-sleeve top. Second to right is a person with short black hair and glasses. They are wearing a black vest. Furthest to the right is a person with a black afro. They are wearing glasses and a white tshirt with a graphic on the front. Four people sit facing an audience. To the left is a person holding the microphone. They have short black hair and are wearing a black denim jacket. Next along is a person with very long blonde hair. They are wearing a white long-sleeve top. Second to right is a person with short black hair and glasses. They are wearing a black vest. Furthest to the right is a person with a black afro. They are wearing glasses and a white tshirt with a graphic on the front.
November 9, 2025 at 1:01 PM
wasafirimag.bsky.social
If you missed our annual New Writing Prize ceremony last week, here's what our stellar judges had to say on the winners' work ...

The winning pieces will be published in print in our Spring 2026 issue, so watch this space.

Congratulations once again to Jo Bardsley, Flora Beagley, and Luke Liu!
Dark blue background. White text reads: ‘Out of a crop of truly excellent, exciting, and innovative new writing, the jury chose “Iko of Benin, King’s Diver” by Jo Bardsley for its powerfully imagined characters, its dream-like metaphors, and for taking us to a time and place we had never imagined existed before. Congratulations, Jo, and thank you for the ride.’ Anton Hur, Fiction Judge on ‘Iko of Benin, King’s Diver’ by Jo Bardsley Dark blue background. White text reads: ‘Two words sum up our winners: accomplished and assured. Our winners have all given us judges the thrill and pleasure that only good writing can give. These winning entries not only speak to the moment but will also remain relevant beyond the moment. They manage to balance the requirements of craft with political realities – be it in language, in history, or in our environment – and are both immediate and enduring.’ Romesh Gunesekera Chair Dark blue background. White text reads: ‘Flora Beagley’s poem “Sutton Hoo” performs a similar excavation to the one that pulled far-flung treasure out of the flatlands of East Anglia. Its ghostly voice reanimates a buried watery world of kinship across distance. It reminds us that English has always been made of immigrant languages, and that the further back you look into the history of these islands, what you find is not purity but strangeness and the trace of epic journeys. The final line – “swuster, swuster, bróþor, bróþor” – strikes me as the simplest, strongest, most haunting expression of our common humanity.’ Yasmine Seale, Poetry Judge on ‘Sutton Hoo’ by Flora Beagley Dark blue background. White text reads: ‘Assured, surprising, and original, this taut and understated piece looks sideways at tradition, honing in on small, sharp details which stayed with me long after reading.’ Noreen Masud, Life Writing Judge on ‘Chair Tombs on the Hill’ by Luke Liu
November 7, 2025 at 11:55 AM
wasafirimag.bsky.social
Nobel Prize-winning author and playwright Wole Soyinka has had his US visa revoked under the Trump administration.

Wasafiri stands in solidarity with Soyinka in support of free speech and expression for all. We are sharing his words on the power & endurance of literature from Wasafiri's 1993 issue
White background. Header in red reads: Statement of Solidarity. Text in black to the right reads: The Trump administration in the US has revoked the visa of Nobel Prize-winning Nigerian author and playwright, Wole Soyinka. A staunch critic of government repression worldwide, he is also a former Wasafiri contributor. On October 23, 2025, the US consulate in Lagos sent a notice to nullify his visa. The author, with his trademark wit, called this a ‘rather curious love letter’. As we continue to witness censorship imposed on writers worldwide at an alarming rate, we stand in utmost solidarity with Wole Soyinka, in support of the right to freedom of speech and expression for all. To the left is an image of Wole. He is a Black man with a white afro and beard. He sits with fingers interlaced in front of him. He is wearing a navy blue shirt with red stripes down the centre. White background. Large text in red in the centre reads: ‘I believe you cannot defeat Literature in the end.’ Wole Soyinka Wasafiri 18 (1993)
November 4, 2025 at 1:30 PM
wasafirimag.bsky.social
Franklyn Usouwa's acerbic short story is a satire set in an unnamed African country. Through a fictional character named Bobo, Usouwa critiques systems of censorship, repression, unbridled technological growth, and more.

buff.ly/puXJCe8
November 3, 2025 at 12:45 PM
wasafirimag.bsky.social
‘What becomes of gender and sexuality amidst the collapse of the liberal world order?’

In this essay, Dr Abeera Khan from SOAS’s Department of Gender Studies examines our current moment as one after homonationalism, where ‘the sparse and vanishing wages of inclusion lie exposed.’

buff.ly/vKAZqnk
Cream background. Headline is in orange at bottom. It reads: Liberalism as Fascism’s Prefiguration by Abeera Khan. Above is a photograph. It shows the back of a crowd as they move down a street lined with tall buildings. Some wave rainbow flags.
October 29, 2025 at 4:30 PM
wasafirimag.bsky.social
Only 1 week left to apply for an editorial placement at Wasafiri – gain invaluable experience within an internationally recognised academic and literary journal.

DEADLINE: Midnight, Sunday, 2 November

Apply here: buff.ly/2GT6zWi
October 27, 2025 at 11:43 AM
wasafirimag.bsky.social
Catch award-winning writer and translator, @antonhur.com, deliver a public lecture in London this Wednesday, 29 October.

Anton will contemplate Han Kang's 2024 Nobel Prize win, alongside a wider discussion on literary prizes, translation, and the Anglophone publishing landscape.

buff.ly/2L3Apbb
Cream background with dark purple down either side. Heading in black reads 'Prizing Korean Literature'. To the bottom right is a photo of Anton, a man with short dark hair, wearing a purple polo shirt. To the right is text in black reading: When: 29 October, 7-8.30pm Where: BLOC, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road Tickets: £10. Concessions available
October 26, 2025 at 2:02 PM
wasafirimag.bsky.social
In celebration of International Artists' Day today, we're launching a new bundle curated by our Art Editor, Leon Wainwright. These four issues gather some of the strongest art writing from our archive, all for the discounted price of £38. 🎨

buff.ly/0J6TIAi
October 25, 2025 at 10:45 AM
wasafirimag.bsky.social
Last chance to get a ticket for an intimate writing workshop with 2025 International Booker Prize winner Deepa Bhasthi!

Taking place online tomorrow from 11am.

buff.ly/BVaU8d2
Brown background. Cream text reads: Join an intimate workshop with an International Booker Prize-winning translator ... Deepa Bhasthi. To the bottom right is a photo in a circle frame. The photo is a headshot of a woman with short curly dark hair. She is smiling into the camera.
October 24, 2025 at 11:30 AM
wasafirimag.bsky.social
Poet @seanwaikeung.bsky.social reads his poem, ‘be like 水’, inspired by family, (un)belonging, and Bruce Lee, published in our latest issue, Wasafiri 123.

The poem is published in Wasafiri 123. The issue includes poetry from Rupam Baoni, Erica Hesketh, Chime Lama, and more.

buff.ly/eeKtUFC
October 23, 2025 at 12:25 PM
wasafirimag.bsky.social
Our heartiest congratulations to Dr @noreenmasud.bsky.social, who has been awarded a prestigious Philip @leverhulme.ac.uk Prize — one of only 30 recipients from across the UK who will receive £100,000.

Catch Noreen at our 2025 New Writing Prize ceremony next Thursday, 30 October!
White background. The Wasafiri logo is at the top of the page. Headline in red reads 'Congratulations'. Subheading in black says: 'Noreen Masud awarded Philip Leverhulme Prize'. In the bottom right is a photo in a circular red frame. The photo is of a woman with shoulder length black hair. Her hair is moving in the breeze. She wears a grey suit jacket over a red and yellow striped tshirt.
October 22, 2025 at 12:15 PM
wasafirimag.bsky.social
We are delighted to announce Wasafiri's new Writer in Residence — writer, performer, and artivist Cara Thompson, in partnership with Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature!

Read the full announcement: buff.ly/1In1pLQ
October 21, 2025 at 3:19 PM
wasafirimag.bsky.social
Wasafiri remembers Zoë Wicomb, who passed away recently on 13 October, 2025. In celebration of her life and work, we are making her short story, 'In Search of Tommie', from our 25th anniversary issue, free to access until the end of the month.

Read now: buff.ly/CdQQOLF
October 20, 2025 at 3:07 PM
wasafirimag.bsky.social
Want to hear from contemporary poets about their craft? Enjoy in-depth and engaging conversations on craft?

Then head to our YouTube channel and check out our sub(VERSE)ive playlist: a limited series of discussions hosted by Prerana Kumar.

buff.ly/L97Y1Ge
October 19, 2025 at 2:15 PM
wasafirimag.bsky.social
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Zoë Wicomb.

A writer, scholar, and critic, Zoë gained international recognition with the publication of YOU CAN'T GET LOST IN CAPE TOWN in 1987.

Wasafiri is privileged to have published her work in our 25th and 35th anniversary issues.
October 15, 2025 at 3:15 PM
wasafirimag.bsky.social
As a small thank you to all our event attendees this month, we'd like to offer a 10% discount on any of our 2025 magazines and subscriptions!

Simply DM us a photo of your booking and we'll send you the discount code (valid until 30 November 2025).
October 13, 2025 at 12:15 PM
wasafirimag.bsky.social
Thanks to all who attended our first ever event in the UAE this summer at Alserkal Avenue with Khaled Esguerra, Juan Gonzales, and Carlos Páez González – contributors to Wasafiri 122: The UAE Issue. It was an afternoon of rich discussion, performances, and warmth.

📷Photography by Nathaniel Enriquez
Photo of four people stood in front of a projected screen. To the left is a person with short black hair and black-rimmed glasses. They are wearing a shortsleeved yellow shirt. Next is a person with black hair and a short beard. They are wearing a brown baseball cap and black zip-up jacket. Second from right is a person with long curly dark-brown hair and a short beard. They are wearing a green t-shirt. On the right is a woman with very long brown hair. She wears a blue patterned dress. A close up of someone's arms carrying a magazine. A crowd shown from behind looking at four people on a stage. Escalators going up and down
October 11, 2025 at 11:45 AM
wasafirimag.bsky.social
Wasafiri has been around for over four decades, publishing diverse, international writing in print and online. Now, we need your help in shaping and informing what the next 40 years will look like for us.

Fill out our short survey to shape the future of Wasafiri.

buff.ly/H9IhNj8
October 10, 2025 at 10:07 AM
wasafirimag.bsky.social
ICYMI: Our event with Birmingham Lit Fest is taking place this Saturday at 5pm! There's a few tickets left so grab them now to hear @sanagoyal.bsky.social in conversation with Dalia Al-Dujaili and SJ Kim.

buff.ly/UZQmJ3G
October 9, 2025 at 8:45 AM
wasafirimag.bsky.social
Our latest issue's Reviews section includes Omar El Akkad's ONE DAY, EVERYONE WILL HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AGAINST THIS; 2025 International Booker Prize winner HEART LAMP; Sulaiman Addonia's THE SEERS; Pankaj Mishra's THE WORLD AFTER GAZA; and more.

Read them all in Wasafiri 123: buff.ly/koGOx7a
October 8, 2025 at 12:31 PM
wasafirimag.bsky.social
To complement the special section on Tibet in our latest issue, Wasafiri 123, we've made Rupam Baoni's short story 'Sky-burial' from Wasafiri 95 – on an exiled woman in Tibet – free to access and download all October.

Read here: buff.ly/yqtr7KN
October 7, 2025 at 1:24 PM
wasafirimag.bsky.social
'To speak with Christina Sharpe is to converse with a constellation' - Guy Gunaratne

In this extract from Wasafiri 123, Christina Sharpe speaks to @guygunaratne.bsky.social about the origins behind her most recent work — ORDINARY NOTES.

buff.ly/P3ittBD
Top half is purple background. Heading in cream reads: The Gift of Imaginative Rupture: Christina Sharpe in Conversation by Guy Gunaratne. Underneath is a black and white photo of two people. On the left is a person with short black curly hair, stubble, and black-framed glasses. They are wearing a blue jacket. To the right is a person with a bald head. They are wearing a black shirt.
October 3, 2025 at 12:01 PM