Join WonderZoo in the Green Space basement and hear from a collection of phenomenal female writers.
There will be performances from Jackie Wacha, Maile Mia Heart, Mélisande Fitzsimons and Purdy Giles.
There will be a limited selection of snacks and beverages available on the night.

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Jackie Wacha was born in Uganda during a time of political turmoil and upheaval. She read Law at Makerere University, and went on to study Human Rights at London Metropolitan University. Jackie is poet who writes about climate change, politics and social justice, interspersed with humorous observations.
Jackie is a Human Rights lawyer by profession and worked on WonderZoo's Hidden Figures of Plymouth project, her poetry has featured in several publications. She is the author of 'Wild Rats', a story about the plight of street children in Uganda.

Maile Mia Heart is an inspiring emerging talent within Plymouth's vibrant art and writing communities. Her work delves deeply into the interpretations of life and everything within it, capturing the unique depths that each individual possesses. She celebrates the diverse ways we all shine, emphasizing that love remains universal regardless of our differences. Her writing seeks to uncover truths both in our world and beyond, exploring what it truly means to be a Woman artist. Through her art and words, Maile Mia Heart aims to foster confidence and esteem among women to all helping them discover hidden strengths. Her focus is on creating meaningful connections with the inner self and embracing the dance that guides our life's journey, inspiring others to find their authentic rhythm and voice.

Mélisande Fitzsimons is a French poet, translator and workshop facilitator based in Plymouth, UK. She has a background in Fine Arts and translation and writes in French and in English and has published four collections of poetry: A Language of Spies, Sirène, Life Here is Full of Tomorrows, and The Only Country in the World. Her work has appeared in international magazines, and she is currently working on her fifth collection, with Aquifer (UK).

 

Purdy Giles, From The Punjab to Plymouth, Purdy will be sharing her story of navigating the space between her Punjabi heritage and British nationality. When I ran away from my childhood home to Plymouth in 1979, the food of my homeland became my constant companion — my only cultural frame of reference in a world that felt unfamiliar. It was the golden thread that quietly led me back home: to myself, to my wider community, to my roots in India, and eventually, back to my childhood home. This is a story of joy and sorrow, of belonging and becoming — and of a deep knowing that this was always my story to write.