LIST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE

Homelands: A History of a Friendship

Join award-winning journalist and author Chitra Ramaswamy at Waterstones Sauchiehall Street as she discusses her book, Homelands: A History of a Friendship.

Homelands: A History of a Friendship

About Homelands: A History of a Friendship

A book about belonging, prejudice and family, told via a decade-long friendship between the author and a 97 year old Holocaust survivor.

Homelands tells the story of Chitra’s friendship with Holocaust survivor, Henry Wuga. Now in his late 90s, Henry arrived in the UK with the Kindertransport aged 15, followed a few months later by his future wife, Ingrid. They went on to found the biggest Jewish catering company in Glasgow, and – much later – travel the world sharing their story of flight, internment and survival.

Chitra was born in London, the daughter of Indian immigrants and, despite their very different stories, found a surprising amount in common with Henry: both have complex relationships to the UK and the ‘home country’; both share a desire to belong, while being true to their cultural identities; both have a family history involving loss, resilience, immigration and prejudice; both have a strong emotional connection to food, family and community.

Generous and deeply moving, Homelands contrasts two very different life stories to find their similarities – offering a new perspective on nationality, prejudice, community, family, immigration and the desire to belong.

Chitra Ramaswamy has over fifteen years' experience as a journalist, out of which this book and her friendship with Jewish refugee Henry Wuga grew.

Their stories resonate strongly to our current moment; they speak to issues including Brexit and the rise of anti-Semitism, racism and far-right ideology.

Henry gave Chitra full access to his archive for the writing of this book, including a wealth of photos and documentation.

Chitra Ramaswamy is an award-winning journalist and author. Her first book, Expecting: The Inner Life of Pregnancy, won the Saltire First Book of the Year Award and was shortlisted for the Polari Prize. She has contributed essays to Antlers of Water, Nasty Women, The Freedom Papers, The Bi-ble and Message from the Skies. She is a TV critic for the Guardian, the restaurant critic for The Times Scotland, a columnist f`or the National Trust for Scotland and broadcasts regularly for BBC Radio Scotland. She lives in Edinburgh with her partner, two young children and rescue dog.

Please note that in the event of a change to the schedule, or a cancellation, ticket holders will be refunded no later than 7 days after the event. You will be contacted nearer the time with more information related to current government guidance.

Sponsored Links

Other Events at Waterstones Sauchiehall Street

An Evening With Genevieve Jagger

25th April 2024

Genevieve Jagger joins Waterstones Sauchiehall Street to launch her dark and brilliant debut, Fragile Animals, a story of complicated sexuality, religious and family trauma... and vampirism.

READ MORE

An Evening With Rose Ruane

2nd May 2024

Join local author and artist Rose Ruane as she launches her incredible new novel in store at Waterstones Sauchiehall Street on Thursday 2nd May!

READ MORE

Three authors and Mary Queen of Scots

4th May 2024

Expect drama and interactive family fun as well as readings, royal chat and an all-author book signing at this Mary Queen of Scots themed-event at Waterstones Sauchiehall Street!

READ MORE

Waterstones’ Children’s Book Club

4th May 2024

At the May edition of Waterstones' Children's Book Club they will be discussing April's Children's Book of the Month, Greenwild: The World Beyond the Door by Pari Thompson!

READ MORE

GT Karber - How To Solve A Murdle

16th May 2024

Calling all armchair detectives. There's been a Murdle! Who better to help us solve it in Waterstones Sauchiehall Street than G. T. Karber?

READ MORE

Helen Kellock launches The Wild Beastie: A Tale from the Isle of Begg

13th June 2024

Meet Bumple and Little Mop: stars of a wild and wonderful new adventure from award-winning author and artist Helen Kellock at Waterstones Sauchiehall Street!

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Similar events you might like...

Books at the Botanics

Books at the Botanics

Selected dates between 3rd February 2024 - 15th December 2024

Glasgow's Book Fair, Books at the Botanics, is held every month in the Hopkirk building at Glasgow's Botanic Gardens!

READ MORE
Bookface Sip & Swap with Harriet Tyce

Bookface Sip & Swap with Harriet Tyce

20th April 2024

Dive into the world of brilliant books at the eagerly anticipated Bookface Sip & Swap event featuring renowned psychological thriller author Harriet Tyce!

READ MORE
An Evening With Genevieve Jagger

An Evening With Genevieve Jagger

25th April 2024

Genevieve Jagger joins Waterstones Sauchiehall Street to launch her dark and brilliant debut, Fragile Animals, a story of complicated sexuality, religious and family trauma... and vampirism.

READ MORE
Poetry Launch - DWAMS by Shane Strachan

Poetry Launch - DWAMS by Shane Strachan

25th April 2024

Join Waterstones Byres Road on Thursday 25th April for an evening of poetry as we celebrate the launch of DWAMS, the new collection from Shane Strachan!

READ MORE
Damian Barr and James Ley - Maggie & Me

Damian Barr and James Ley - Maggie & Me

30th April 2024

Join Damian Barr and James Ley in conversation with Jackie Wylie at the Mitchell Library as they explore the creation of the new stage version of Damian’s celebrated memoir Maggie & Me.

READ MORE
An Evening With Mikaela Loach

An Evening With Mikaela Loach

1st May 2024

Join climate campaigner and activist Mikaela Loach at Waterstones Argyle Street to celebrate the paperback launch of her vitally important book, It's Not That Radical!

READ MORE
An Evening With Rose Ruane

An Evening With Rose Ruane

2nd May 2024

Join local author and artist Rose Ruane as she launches her incredible new novel in store at Waterstones Sauchiehall Street on Thursday 2nd May!

READ MORE
Glasgow Zine Fest: Glasgow Zine Fest and Friends Zine Launch

Glasgow Zine Fest: Glasgow Zine Fest and Friends Zine Launch

3rd May 2024

Join us to launch an array of amazing new zines emerging from the Glasgow Zine Fest community over the past year.

READ MORE
Glasgow Zine Fest: Zine Fair

Glasgow Zine Fest: Zine Fair

3rd May 2024 - 4th May 2024

Glasgow Zine Fest's main event features over 40 makers from the UK and worldwide showcasing their work. Come for the zines, stay for the zines!

READ MORE

Find other events in Glasgow

Sponsored Links

Go Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"

Popular Events

Summer Nights at the Bandstand
The Summer Nights at the Bandstand festival returns to Kelvingrove Park for a ninth year with 12 nights of live music from Gabrielle, Bananarama, Echo & The Bunnymen and many more!
Swiftie Brunch... A Celebration of Taylor Swift’s ERAS Tour
Scottish Swifties can head along to the ultimate Eras Tour warm up - a Swiftie Brunch like no other featuring friendship bracelet making, themed cocktails, brunch and non-stop Taylor all day!
Day Fever Glasgow
DAY FEVER COMES TO GLASGOW! Yes, that's right! Day Fever, the Saturday daytime disco, is returning to BAaD on Saturday 18th May!
Fontaines D.C.
Fontaines D.C. have announced a headline show at Glasgow's OVO Hydro on Wednesday 4th December in support of their highly-anticipated fourth album, Romance!
New Absolute Beginners Line Dance Classes
Join Lorna's Jazz Boxes for a new Absolute Beginners Line Dance Classes starting in Glasgow Southside on Thursday 23rd May!

Popular Listings

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum King's Theatre Glasgow King Tut's Wah Wah Hut O2 Academy Glasgow SEC Armadillo Theatre Royal Glasgow The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow The Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall The OVO Hydro