African author delights fans at Victoria Library (07/07/2008)

Literary fans descended on Victoria Library in Westminster to hear acclaimed African author Sulaiman Addonia read from his debut novel on Monday (June, 30th).

The Eritrean-born writer read excerpts from his first book "The Consequences of Love" which is set in Saudi Arabia and tells the story of the difficulties of pursuing "true love" under the harsh glare of one of the world's most repressive societies.

Addonia, who has lived in Sudan and Saudi Arabia as well as the UK, then signed copies of his book for his fans and answered questions from the audience who were particularly interested in his diverse background.

He was invited to read at the library as part of the National Year of Reading which aims to get people reading more widely throughout Westminster and the rest of the country. Sulaiman was taking part in the "Africa and Beyond Mission" which aims to build a network that connects mainstream arts organisations and venues with grassroots African communities.

Councillor Audrey Lewis, Westminster's Cabinet Member for Customers and Neighbourhoods, said: "In Westminster we bring people face-to-face with those who have the life experiences to share and the talent to communicate which makes the National Year of Reading a celebration which we can all join in.”

Addonia was born in Eritrea to an Eritrean mother and an Ethiopian father. He spent his early life in a Sudanese refugee camp following the Om Hajar massacre in 1976. In 1985 he moved to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia before going to London as a teenager where he claimed asylum. He went on to study for a degree at UCL and a MA from SOAS.

For more information on Westminster's libraries and future events visit www.westminster.gov.uk/libraries

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