By Ramsha Ashraf
Pakistan
International Writing Program is once-in-a-lifetime- experience which not only bridges different cultures in a very subtle way but also celebrates the difference in a very charming and dignified manner. I had the privilege of being a part of IWP’17 and it transformed my vision about writers and writing in a very dynamic way. The IWP’17 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the program and hence in addition to the thirty five International Writers, the program provided us the luxury of meeting many alumni.
In the dark political times I found the work and existence of the International Writing Program a speaking metaphor of resistance. While the US pulled itself out of UNESCO, IWP was celebrating international voices, poetry, music, film, art and literature. The idea of paying respect to the world literature is fascinating in itself but it becomes more meaningful when it has certain associations, connections and memories to offer. Hence, in my mind, whenever I try to relive my experience in Iowa as Fall Resident, I have bulk of memories to relish and share.
I strongly feel that a short introduction cannot do justice to the intensity and diversity the program offers to the writers. I’ve had the honor to meet Hualing Nieh Engle, the woman who gave the idea of IWP to Paul Engle. Also, I’ve had the privilege to see the places where people like Raymond Carver, Philip Levine, Denis Johnson, John Berryman and Donald Justice used to live, write and share their ideas.
International Writing Program provides an extraordinary opportunity for writers to explore and express their voices in an incredibly different way.
