Madras Cafe Unlocked 2020: Book Club Online with author Gaile Parkin discussing her novel, Baking Cakes in Kigali.

The novel emerged from Gaile Parkin’s desire to counter-balance perceptions by conveying some of the laughter and joy that help Rwandans to go on with their day-to-day lives despite the violence and personal tragedy they have so recently endured.

Born and raised in Zambia, Gaile Parkin has lived and worked in many African countries. Her first job was in a Soweto still simmering from the violent student uprisings. More recently she worked in Rwanda, training people to fill the human resources vacuum created by the genocide, and counselling women and girls who had survived it. Gaile holds degrees in English literature, linguistics, education, psychology, gender and international development. Baking Cakes in Kigali, her first novel, was published in the UK by Atlantic Press in January 2009 an went on to sell in fifteen other territories.

About Madras Café Unlocked

As a result of COVID-19, WOMAD festival 2020 has been cancelled which has a huge impact on Madras Café and AVI. This is normally a key fundraising event and opportunity to raise awareness about AVI’s solidarity with rural communities across India. Our re-imagined event, Madras Café Unlocked brings you a summer of online content in support of Action Village India and partners. We launch our five ‘stages’: Madras Café Family, Madras Boombox, Food for Thought, Partnerships & Solidarity and our Exhibition: Food for Justice and Peace on the 24th, 25th & 26th of July and events will run throughout the summer up to 26th September, when we conclude with an International meal in support of Jai Jagat 2020.

Please visit our website www.madrascafeunlocked.co.uk for more information.