Book Launch - The Unsent Condolences by Abdul Samad Haidari

Please join unity books wellington and palaver, alongside friends, 5ever books, for the launch of abdul samad haidari's second book of poetry, 'the unsent condolences'!

Book launch at unity books wellington
'the unsent condolences' by abdul samad haidari
Wednesday 20th march
6:00pm - 7:30pm
All welcome, free entry

At this event, the book will be formally launched by behrouz boochani, followed by readings by abdul samad haidari, renae williams, and members of hazara community, batool and reza.

Afghanistani refreshments will be available and copies of the book will be for sale.

We look forward to seeing you there!


>about the book
This extraordinary book of poetry, the second from New Zealand-based former Hazara Afghan refugee poet and journalist, Abdul Samad Haidiri, cuts deeply into the body and psyche of a young man seeking home against terrible odds of injustice.
“An unbeatable advocate ... His sharp pen crafts verses that reflect the ever-shifting landscape of truth, casting light into the shadows of events to reveal the hidden threads that weave our world’s narrative.” … Behrouz Boochani, ‘Afterword’, The Unsent Condolences.

>About the author
Abdul Samad Haidari is a Hazara writer, journalist, poet, and published author, with a unique journey as a former refugee. His journalistic career in Afghanistan forced him to seek asylum in Indonesia in 2014. Having first experienced displacement at the age of 10-11, during the Hazara cleansing in the 1990s, Abdul Samad has been separated from his parents ever since. At 11, he became a child labourer on an Iranian construction site, survived a live-shooting in Kand-e-Pusht, Afghanistan, where two of his tribesmen were shot before his eyes. His journalism has also subjected him to assassination attempts. Abdul Samad authored his 1st book, The Red Ribbon, in 2019, while he was still in Indonesia as a refugee. His second book, The Unsent Condolences, is released nine months after his arrival in Aotearoa, New Zealand. He is currently based in Wellington, and works with Victoria University of Wellington.