Poems of War and Peace

In a world facing multiple Wars, now is the time to focus on Peace.

Through the language of poetry, we explore experiences of war alongside desires for peace. Join poets from around the world for an evening of uplifting words and insightful reflections, reading their own work, and works from the poetic canon.

Featuring Afeif Ismail, Lakshmi Kanchi, and international guest, Dr Ishraga Mustafa Hamid (Austria), hosted by Vivienne Glance.

Lakshmi Kanchi, pen name SoulReserve, is an emerging Indian–Australian poet on a mission — to make poetry accessible. She is the Chair of WA Poets Inc. and a Centre for Stories Fellow. Lakshmi's debut poetry collection, Lakesong, was published by Centre for Stories (WA) in collaboration with Red River Press (New Delhi). Her poetry explores love and its tumultuousness, fantasy and zest in nature, and allegories that provoke thought and evoke tender feelings. Her writing anatomises the complex linkages between language, culture, history and perception.

Lakshmi won the 2023 Ros Spencer Poetry Prize and the 2021 Pocketry Prize for Unpublished Poets. Her works have been shortlisted for the Heroine’s Prize 2024, Grieve Project 2024, and SCWC Poetry Prize 2023 and 2022. Her poetry has been featured in various literary publications including, but not limited to, Australian Poetry Anthology, Social Alternatives, Portside Review, Burrow Journal and The Saltbush Review. She was the inaugural Poet-in-Residence at The Wetlands Centre (2022–23) and Writer-in-Residence at the Midland Courthouse (2024).

Co-transcreators Afeif Ismail and Vivienne Glance
Transcreation is an essential element of Afeif’s and Vivienne’s writing partnership. Together they pioneered this cross-cultural creative process where Afeif ‘s Arabic text is transformed into a new rich, cohesive and poetic or dramatic work in English. Their co-transcreated poetry has been published in Afeif’s collections: Orphaned Birds, Mum This World Lies to Us! and Naked Inside the Wolves’ Den. They have been working together since 2004 and were co-commissioned by Barking Gecko Theatre to work on his script of The African Magician (nominated Australian Writers Guild Award 2010).

Ishraga Mustafa Hamid was born in Kosti, Sudan. She studied Communication Sciences in Sudan and at the University of Vienna, where she also completed her PhD in Political Science.

She is a writer, translator, and cultural producer. She has published nine books in Arabic and German and has (co-)translated ten additional books.

Hamid is Chairwoman of the association Mendy, which focuses on peacebuilding and diversity management. She coordinates creative writing workshops for migrant and refugee women living in Austria, Germany, and other European countries. She is the Austrian PEN Centre's representative on the Writers for Peace Committee and a member of the Calliope project at the Women's Museum Hittisau, Vorarlberg, as an engaged writer and activist.

Ishraga Mustafa Hamid has received numerous awards and distinctions, including the Adult Education Award (2007), the Herta Pammer Prize of the Austrian Catholic Women's Movement, the Golden Medal of Merit of the City of Vienna (2020), and the English PEN Award for the translation of Ontha El Anhar (2023).

There will be a limited number of open mic spots.

Produced in association with PEN Perth and the Perth Poetry Festival 2026.

This event is preceded by the PEN Perth Annual General Meeting. Join us from 5 pm if you would like to find out more about PEN’s activities supporting writers at risk, and promoting freedom of expression.