Join us for an inspiring evening with renowned Mauritian writer and journalist Shenaz Patel, whose work captures powerful stories of identity, resilience, and the hidden narratives of island life - resonating deeply with Australia’s own Indigenous histories of displacement and the ongoing fight for recognition and treaty.

Patel’s 2005 award-winning novel, Le Silence des Chagos, brings to light the forced displacement of the Chagossian people, whose homeland was seized for a U.S. military base. Now, Patel introduces her latest work, Maronnes, which follows Annie-Rose, a contemporary sand extractor on Mauritius—a place where the excavation of lagoons feeds a construction boom driven by expatriate wealth. Through Annie-Rose’s journey, Patel reveals a troubling connection between exploitation and labor histories, connecting the Mascarenes to Australia’s untold past in ways both unexpected and thought-provoking.

Joining the discussion is Professor Gregory Lehman, who will explore the themes explored in Maronnes of colonial legacy, environmental toll and cultural resilience. Together, Patel and Lehman will delve into the deeper histories of the Indian Ocean region and their continuing impact today.

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with two distinguished voices in literature and history, unraveling a seldom-told story of land, labour, and legacy.