Voices of Gallipoli

Voices of Gallipoliby Maurice Shadbolt | Adapted by Arthur Meek 

Voices of Gallipoli is a collection of verbatim testimonies from veterans who fought at Gallipoli and lived to tell the tale. They were told to New Zealand author Maurice Shadbolt (1932- 2004) nearly seven decades after the last shot in the campaign was fired. For many of the elderly soldiers, it was their first and last chance to tell their remarkable tales of suffering and survival.  Playwright Arthur Meek has created a format so that individual testimonies can be read aloud at ANZAC commemorations and events across New Zealand and around the world as an international project to remember the lives of Kiwis at war.

Join us at Tūranga to hear three of these moving first-hand accounts, spoken out loud as an act of remembrance. The New Zealand String Quartet, members of the New Zealand Army Band, and orators

 Michael Keir- Morrissey and Tom Trevella will bring us together for a heartfelt commemoration.

Entry to this event is free, but please book online to reserve your spot.

Please note: War subject matter may be confronting for audience members.

At the conclusion of the event, we warmly invite you to join us for a period of reflection and discussion, over tea, coffee and ANZAC biscuits. We pledge to remember them. We don’t have to do it alone.

 Children are most welcome to join the ANZAC poppy craft session adjoining this event. 

This event is proudly supported by the Friends of Christchurch City Libraries with special thanks to the New Zealand String Quartet, New Zealand Army Band, Michael Keir-Morrissey and Tom Trevella.