Award-winning Afghan-Canadian journalist and filmmaker Nelofer Pazira-Fisk will deliver the Keynote Address titled “Age of Chaos: The New World Order” at the 2025 Allingham Festival on Wednesday, 5 November, at 8:15 pm. In the light of current developments in the Middle East, her address could not be more timely.
Nelofer Pazira-Fisk worked in Beirut and throughout the Middle East for fifteen years alongside her husband, the late journalist Robert Fisk. She reported from Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey, Egypt and Syria for Canadian broadcasters as well as UK and Canadian newspapers.
She starred in the film Kandahar, based on her real-life story. She has directed and produced other films including Return to Kandahar and Act of Dishonour. She also wrote This is Not a Movie, a biographical documentary film about Robert Fisk which will also be shown at the 2025 Allingham Festival.
Her 2006 book A Bed of Red Flowers: In Search of My Afghanistan won the Drainie-Taylor Biography Prize. Ms Pazira-Fisk has recently overseen the completion and publication of Robert Fisk’s last book Night of Power: The Betrayal of the Middle East.
The 2025 Allingham Festival will run from 5-9 November in the Abbey Arts Centre, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal and nearby venues. Featured guests will include Orwell ward-winning author Donal Ryan in conversation with Nuala O’Connor, a performance of “Paddy - The Life and Times of Paddy Armstrong” featuring Don Wycherley, broadcaster John Creedon in conversation with Sean Perry, and a programme of reminiscences and excerpts from the works of Donegal playwright Brian Friel – plus music, films, workshops, and book launches and open-mic events. For programme details and updates see www.allinghamfestival.com