Cityread 2015 – Balham, Tooting, Hillingdon and Brent

As Cityread 2015 moves along at a fast and furious pace, ALAG want to keep you up-to-date with latest events where the translated synopsis of Rivers Of London has been read and much more.

First of all here is some paraphrased feedback from Balham Library Urdu Group, kindly submitted by Ayesha Hafeez who regularly runs the group. ALAG Chair, Gulshan Iqbal facilitated this exciting event on behalf of ALAG:

Cityread 2015 Balham 280315On the 28th of March 2015, Balham Library hosted an open event in the hall for Urdu speakers in the community. Posters were put up advertising this event in Balham Library and others such as Tooting and Battersea Libraries. A translated synopsis of Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch in Urdu was used to facilitate the event – it is a very fascinating story that hooks people immediately. 13 adults and 10 children attended. Afterwards we received a lot of positive feedback and some who were not part of the Urdu reading group in Balham Library signed up for it as they were so enthusiastic. After the reading everyone discussed the story which was hugely popular between the members as they said that the plot entangled them in its mystery. Furthermore the importance and benefits of reading were discussed followed in true Asian tradition by refreshments – delightful dishes, brought in by members, mostly home-baked. Everyone said that they really enjoyed the event and met a lot of new people that they could share their views with. I also encouraged Urdu speakers to come to the library regularly and read the books available in English and Urdu – attendees commented that if more of these events happen they will certainly attend!

Cityread Tooting 110415A similar experience was had by Dr Murugesan Muthu (pictured second from left) of the Brent Tamil Reading Group. Not only did he translate the synopsis in Tamil but also facilitated the Tamil event at Tooting Library on behalf of ALAG. This event took place on 11th April and this is what Dr Murugesan had to say afterwards:

Again, thank you for offering me an opportunity to meet some new people and helping me to refresh my old memories because I lived in Tooting for a few years. The event went nicely and received a very good response from everyone who attended. I also invited one of my friends to the event – he is editor/owner of a Tamil newspaper in London and will be publishing an article about Cityread and this event in Tooting Library. I took along my laptop and projector and showed the group some videos about the Cityread launch event in Covent Garden, Ben’s interview and short biography and also the Rivers of London promo video. All of these helped to engage attendees and set the scene for an interesting and lively discussion

ALAG would like to thank Librarian Therese Rajadurai who runs the Tamil Reading Group for organising and promoting this wonderful event to the local community – read her account here:

www.better.org.uk/areas/wandsworth/news/cityread-2015-with-the-tooting-tamil-group

Cityread ALAG 2015 Hillingdon 140415Last but by no means least, ALAG Treasurer and Gujarati translator Aruna Shah facilitated the Cityread event at Botwell Green Library, Hillingdon showcasing her linguistic skills by facilitating the event using the translated synopsis in Hindi. The picture shows Aruna with the 7 attendees, one of whom resonated with the story by commenting:

Hindus appease the rivers by scattering ashes in water so that the soul can peacefully flow away in running water. Rivers have great significance for us.

Look out for author Ben Aaronovitch at Kilburn Library, Brent  appearing today (20th April 2015) from 6.30-7.30pm and Brent Tamil Reading Group will be discussing Rivers Of London on Saturday 25th April at Ealing Road Library from 2 to  4.30pm. See the poster below for more details and contact information:RoL Tamil event in Brent 250415 

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