Nina Angelo of Macmasters Beach will share her personal story of starting life in a new country at Kincumber Library on Tuesday, June 22 at 2.30pm to mark Refugee Week (June 20-26).
The author of Don’t Cry, Dance – A memoir of war, love and forgiveness will refer to her book and personal story at the inaugural Living Library event.
Born in Athens, Greece, shortly after WWII, Angelo migrated to Sydney in June 1949 with her parents, both survivors of the Nazi concentration camps.
In the early ‘60s, Nina studied at the National Art School, experimenting with many art forms before settling on her life-long journey with textiles.
Her community work and artistic and cultural heritage have led her on countless adventures across Australia, the Pacific Islands and ultimately, back to Europe.
Angelo has founded, coordinated, publicised, taught and work-shopped creative and community arts and festival events, for over 30 years and in 2009 was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her service to the arts and the Central Coast community.
Her wider Australian contribution to community and culture has been recognised through a range of honours, awards and positions including Artist in Residence in Fiji through Australia Council for the Arts, two Australia Day Community Awards, the Governor of NSW Children’s Week Award for her work in remote locations, and an Edna Ryan Feminist Award for her life’s work empowering women and sharing their stories through the arts.
Don’t Cry, Dance celebrates and honours life, love, family and tolerance of people from all cultures, colours and creeds.
It had its beginnings when Angelo discovered her father Alberto’s interviews from 30 years ago, which had been held in the Holocaust Museum in the USA, and combined these with the story of her Janka, who first met her father in Auschwitz.
Angelo is a motivational speaker, arts consultant, mentor, intuitive artist, registered Marriage Celebrant, writer and activist who is passionate about gathering women together to share their truth and heal the impacts of intergenerational trauma through storytelling.
Refugee Week Living Library is supported by Central Coast for Social Justice Association, Wyoming Neighbourhood Centre and Northern Settlement Services and bookings can be made via the Council website or by calling 4304 7641.
Source: Central Coast Council website – Image copyright Beverley Callow Photography