By Natalie Gallenti
14th September 2010
Creative inspiration ... Kalyan Ky hopes to encourage Brimbank youth to use their talents in a positive way. 53135 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
TALENTED writer and musician Kalyan Ky encourages youngsters to use their creativity as a cathartic experience.
Born in a Cambodian refugee camp, Ms Ky will speak at the Brimbank Literacy Festival tomorrow.
She will be hosting the session ‘The Treasures of Bridging Languages and Writing Experiences’ and will call on young artists to use their imagination as an alternative to anti-social behaviour.
“I hope my words will inspire them to write,” she said.
“Many artistic people are disadvantaged youth and they probably believe it is a waste of time.
“I encourage creativity as an outlet.”
A published author, Ms Ky grew up under the regime of the Khmer Rouge, and through her work explores the effects this period had on children.
Her book Under the Bamboo Shoots looks at life as a refugee and how difficult it is for children to cope when moving to a new environment and their struggle to adapt to a new way of life, while still trying to understand the ghosts which haunt their parents.
“We need to raise awareness on how young people are affected by intolerance.
“It is something that goes unnoticed by many schools and that is why so many students drop out.”
She is also an accomplished musician and a self-taught pianist and guitarist. Her songs encourage young people to never give up and talk of the struggles of living in multicultural Australia.
An active member of the community, Ms Ky works with disadvantaged youth, victims of sexual abuse, refugees and multicultural multifaith advocacy groups. She is also the chair of the Ethnic Youth Council.
“Through my life, I have witnessed horrible occurrences and violations of basic rights in refugee detention centres and surburbia. I’ve seen how helpless people feel behind the veil. These things have inspired me.”
No comments:
Post a Comment