From Poland to Ukraine: Greg Dinner on Memory, History, and Storytelling
Today, the Centre for European Studies (CEUROS) at the University of Limerick welcomed author and screenwriter Greg Dinner on Wednesday, 28 October, for his talk, As the White Storks Leave: Of Memoir and Memory... An Author's Journeys Through Poland and Ukraine, Past and Present. Held in the Feeney Room at Plassey House, the event explored themes of memory, identity, history, and the lasting impact of conflict through the lens of literature and personal experience.
Interest in the event was exceptionally strong, with the venue reaching full capacity. Attendees included members of the University of Limerick community as well as visitors from across Ireland, with several guests travelling from Dublin specifically to attend the talk.
Drawing on his extensive body of work, including A Geometry of Snowflakes, A Requiem for Hania, and Whispers of Ghosts: Days and Nights Ukraine, Greg Dinner reflected on his journeys through Poland and Ukraine and discussed how literature can help us engage with questions of memory, belonging, trauma, and historical responsibility.
Following the talk, attendees stayed on for a lively conversation with Greg Dinner, sharing reflections and asking insightful questions on the themes explored during the event. Topics like, identity, the role of fiction and memoir in preserving memory, and the continuing relevance of Ukrainian and Polish histories in today's Europe were discussed.
CEUROS was particularly delighted to welcome several special guests to the event, including CEUROS founder Prof. Edward Moxon-Browne and Natalya Korniyenko, Director of the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Ireland.
What made the event particularly special was the enthusiasm of those in attendance. With a full room, guests travelling from Dublin, and a lively conversation that continued after the talk, the afternoon highlighted the value of creating spaces where literature and contemporary issues can be explored together. CEUROS extends its sincere thanks to Greg Dinner and everyone who joined us for such an engaging and thought-provoking event.
