Guest Bio
Gabrielle, an Australian, spent twelve years on East Timor’s remote Ataúro Island living and working with the island community. Dancers on the Sea is about the six years prior to Timor-Leste's independence in 2002. Gabrielle, a writer of fiction and non-fiction, lives on a nature refuge in southern Queensland and still regularly visits the island and people she loves. She writes – mainly short stories – to express and share her wonder and appreciation of people and their cultures. Gabrielle has won prizes for her stories, speaks four languages, has degrees in Anthropology and Education and has worked in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Timor-Leste.
Gabrielle Samson Author Book Event
With Gabrielle Samson
ABOUT DANCERS ON THE SEA
THIS STORY TELLS OF A WOMAN’S LIFE AND WORK ON ATAÚRO ISLAND, LEARNING THE ISLAND'S HISTORY AND CULTURE, AND SHARES STORIES OF OTHERS WITH WHOM SHE LIVED IN A TIME OF GREAT CHANGE...
During a period when East Timor was occupied by a harsh Indonesian military regime and a fierce resistance movement challenged it, Gabrielle – an Australian woman working at an Indonesian university – was asked by a Timorese village leader to help establish a kindergarten for the community.
Supported by the university, Gabrielle agreed to spend six months on the remote and poor island, to live amongst them as the only Westerner in its harsh and often cruel conditions.
It didn’t take long for Gabrielle to fall in love with the island, its people and an Indonesian co-worker, resulting in the following twelve years of her life being spent living on the island amongst an amazing community of people.
Dancers on the Sea is Gabrielle’s experience through six of those years as the little country struggled for, and achieved, its independence.
“A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion. Beautifully told and deeply shared…” Lisa, Readalot Magazine reviewer
Avid Reader Bookshop
193 Boundary St, West End QLD 4101, Australia
This event is a Free Event
"A moving and insightful book of reality and compassion. Beautifully told and deeply shared…"
— Lisa, Readalot Magazine reviewer
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.