Creative Writing at UL and Narrative 4 present

IMPAC AWARD-WINNING NOVELIST

COLUM McCANN

Author of Let the Great World Spin

INTRODUCING NARRATIVE 4 IRELAND

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

5pm – 6pm

Lecture Theatre KBG 12 in the Kemmy Business School

with

JOSEPH O’CONNOR: UL Frank McCourt Chair in Creative Writing and Honorary Member, N4

Narrative 4 (N4) is a global organisation that fosters empathy by breaking down barriers and shattering stereotypes through the exchange of stories. Headed by the world’s most influential artists, educators, students and community advocates, N4 is committed to developing the next generation of empathetic leaders and citizens.

Originally founded by over 100 writers from around the world, including Michael Ondaatje, Gabriel Byrne, Ian McEwan, Sting, Chimamanda Adichie, Michael Cunningham and Edna O’Brien. The organisation is based on the simple idea that by knowing the story of another, we are able to better understand each other. When listening to stories, we suspend argument, engage our emotions, and, walking in the shoes of another, experience compassion.

N4 currently promotes stories as an agent of change and a framework for understanding by:

• Creating a working arts leadership network by regularly convening a diverse group of authors and other advisors who are leaders in their field to exchange ideas
• Offering N4 designed and supported accreditation workshops in order to effectively roll out the Narrative 4 model internationally
• Presenting story-based art experiences direct to the public (during literary festivals, author events, writing workshops, songwriter performances, and more)
• Partnering with N4 advisors, community leaders and humanistic organizations from around the world to create a “boomerang” effect, presenting their work to audiences everywhere, while extending the work of N4 to their communities

Please join us for a reception and public interview with Colum McCann at the Lecture Theatre KBG 12 in the Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick, Wednesday November 5^th, 5 pm – 6 pm.  [rsvp to claire.ryan@ul.ie by Monday 3^rd November]