To mark the ninth anniversary of the start of the Allied invasion of Iraq, the Festival of Ideas brings three Iraqi novelists to Bristol in a celebration of Iraqi culture. Ali Barder's The Tobacco Keeper spans five decades of turbulent Middle East history, highlighting the complexity of the social make up of Iraq. Inaam Kachachi's The American Granddaughter eloquently reveals a woman's conflicting allegiances having returned to Baghdad as an interpreter for the US Army, 15 years after emigrating to America. Samuel Shimon's Iraqi in Paris tells the story of a young Iraqi writer who sets out to become a Hollywood filmmaker, only to end up as a refugee on the streets of Paris. They are in discussion with writer Anita Sethi who has recently returned from a visit to Iraq.

Please note this event has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.