MY CULTURAL LIFE

Heather Morris was born in Te Awamutu, New Zealand, and with her husband Steve has three children. Because of her passion for “long-winded tales”, in 1996 she enrolled on the professional scriptwriting course through the Australian College of Journalism. She already had a BA in political science. Then she met Lale Sokolov, a Holocaust survivor, whose story she told in the bestseller The

Tattooist of Auschwitz. Her new book Cilka’s Journey is just published.

Movie: Out of Africa

My husband would say this is my favourite movie because Robert Redford is in it. He’s partly right. I was hooked on this movie from the opening when a train rattles through the vast open plains of Kenya in the early 1900s with the stirring, haunting music of John Barry. What I ultimately loved about the film was the amazing character of Karen Blixen that Meryl Streep played (above). A woman before her time, an adventurer.

Music: Symphony No 3, Op 36 ‘Symphony of Sorrowful Songs’ — Henryk Gorecki

In particular played by Jacek Kasprzyk, K Szymanowski State Philharmonic Orchestra, with Zofia Kilanowicz. For nine minutes this one piece of music can take you through every possible emotion. While written for Holocaust victims and survivors, it will enable you to place your own life’s ups and downs in a musical perspective and emerge filled with hope.

TV: The West Wing

Okay I admit it, I will watch and rewatch anything written by Aaron Sorkin. Every Christmas I find episode 11 of the first series and watch it. My husband knows to leave me alone. In this one episode, all the brilliance of storytelling is played out. I watched it again recently and my cat recognised the music and came to sit on my lap knowing I would be sitting for several hours.

Art: Lost Heritage by Rei Hamon

Rei was a New Zealand landscape artist, self-taught in the style of pointillism. I have owned and had hung in my homes in two countries, two of his prints. One, Lost

Heritage, is my reminder of my roots, of my spiritual home New Zealand.

Book: Sole Survivor

I thought of books I have read multiple times and Derek Hansen’s announced itself. It’s the story of a disillusioned young female doctor who moves to a remote island. Heather Morris in conversation with Sinead Moriarty, in The Helix, Dublin October 24, 7pm. Tickets €25 include a copy of Cilka’s Journey. You’ll find More info at easons. com/eason-events/ heather-morris/ Also see heathermor risauthor.com/