Aye Write! Gulwali Passarlay

GULWALI PASSARLAY: My Journey to Safety as a Child Refugee

Gulwali Passarlay was sent away from Afghanistan at the age of twelve, after his father was killed in a gun battle. Smuggled into Iran, Gulwali began a twelve month odyssey across Europe, spending time in prisons, suffering hunger, a terrifying journey in a tiny boat, and enduring a month in the camp at Calais. In Britain he was fostered, sent to a good school, won a place at a top university, and was chosen to carry the Olympic torch. In his extraordinary memoir The Lightless Sky he tell his story – bringing vividly to life the plight of the thousands of men, women and children who are making this perilous journey every day. Gulwali’s experience is an important story of our times and his book celebrates the triumph of courage and determination over adversity. Chaired by Ruth Wishart.