Political Upset at Writers Event

The ‘Write now’ event at Stratford Circus’ atmosphere turned, after writers were questioned on politics this Thursday. Upon being asked by UEL’s performing arts field leader, Mark Hunter: ‘is creativity the realm of the left?’ China Miéville, three-time winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award answered: ‘Novels portray racism and fascism, and grotesque corporate art like in Westfields - here in Stratford! It’s not of the left, whether I want it to or not.’ Referring to the new shopping mall that will be the gateway for many to the Olympics, the remark was met with cheering from the audience. Fellow writer Olumide Popoola, a Nigerian-German author and performer also said: ‘anything you put into the world becomes political.’ And playwright Bonnie Greer summarised: ‘I don’t know if these are questions for writers.’ Beforehand the event had gone smoothly with extracts from various writers and a full audience made up of students and lecturers. The event is held annually, more information about Thursday’s evening can be found here: http://www.stratford-circus.com/events/literature/writenow.htm