Joy Gregory, Fierce & Fearless, 2022, installation. Courtesy of William Morris Gallery, London Borough of Waltham Forest/Nicola Tree

Inspired by the tales of fearless female protagonists emblazoned on Joy Gregory’s Fierce and Fearless installation, the British Bilingual Poetry Collective present a family-friendly storytelling and drawing session, centring on trailblazing Bengali writer, educator, and social reformer Begum Rokeya. 

In this session led by poets and storytellers Shamim Azad and Farah Naz, they will weave together oral histories and stories in English, Sylheti and Bengali to embody the spirit of Rokeya’s work, including her famous celebrated feminist science fiction tale, Sultana’s Dream. 

Written in 1905, Sultana’s Dream imagines a scientifically advanced utopia, where women are free from structural oppression and patriarchal norms. Rokeya’s championship of women’s empowerment and education at a time when women’s rights were restricted was crucial in contributing towards a wider narrative shift towards social equality. 

In the session, visitors of all ages will be immersed in the world of Rokeya through stories, poetry and drawing activities.  

This is a family-friendly and intergenerational storytelling event – people of all ages are welcome to come along!

Free - Booking required

Opening Times:
Tue-Sun 11am-6pm

Location:

77-82 Whitechapel High Street
London, E1 7QX

Copyright text and images the gallery and the artist