On Thursday 29 May, Braithwaite Hall once again played host to Lit Nights – our modern-day literary salon that’s fast becoming a staple on South London’s cultural calendar. Hosted by award-winning journalist Isabella Silvers, this second edition welcomed peacebuilding practitioner and debut author, Nussaibah Younis, for a rich, wide-ranging conversation that tackled various societal hot topics.
(Video courtesy of Olive Tree Productions)
Known as a globally recognised expert on contemporary Iraq for her work in international relations and her incisive commentary on Middle Eastern politics, Nussaibah brought personal and professional insight to the evening’s discussion.
From radicalisation and Islamophobia to family dynamics, identity, religion, (and romance in the halls of the UN), no topic was off the table – and everything was handled with the nuance, depth and humour Lit Nights is becoming known for.
Over the course of the hour-long conversation, Nussaibah shared how her experiences shaped the characters in ‘Fundamentally‘, and how writing allowed her to explore complex intersections of belonging, belief and self-discovery. One of the standout moments? Her reflections on the dual pressures of being both hyper-visible and misunderstood, and how that informed the emotional core of her storytelling.
After the Q&A, guests continued the conversation in true Lit Nights style:
- Book signings drew a steady crowd to the Waterstones stall, with Nussaibah signing copies and chatting one-on-one with guests.
- DJ Ambo Magic kept the energy high with a genre-blending set – expertly weaving in songs from Nussaibah’s own curated playlist for an added personal touch.
- The Crazy Co team delivered a special menu of five bespoke gin cocktails, each inspired by different themes from the evening (and just as bold as the talk itself).
- The Zeitgeist Wall invited guests to weigh in on reflective questions like “How would your 15-year-old self react to who you are now?” and “Does humour make it easier to tackle tough topics?”
- One guest wrote: “My 15-year-old self would slap me and tell me to lighten up!”
- Another shared: “Humour is a great way to break the ice – I often use it as a way to cope.”
What started as a conversation on stage quickly rippled through the room – showing, once again, the power of literature, dialogue, and community to spark ideas and shift perspectives.
But don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what guests had to say:
“Brilliant initiative – bringing culture and fun into the Borough. We need more of this!”
“Lit Nights is a place to learn, make friends, meet authors, ask questions, drink cocktails and SMILE!”
“What a wonderful evening. This is what living in Croydon is all about”
We’re wishing Nussaibah the best of luck for 12 June – when she will find out if Fundamentally has won the 2025 Women’s Prize for fiction!
GALLERY
(Above photos courtesy of Ameena Rojee)
For more pics and videos from the night, take a look at the (Lit Nights 2) Instagram Highlights
THE NEXT LIT NIGHTS… NEEDS YOU!
The first of our Lit Nights came to life thanks to the London Borough of Culture Legacy Fund, a microgrant empowering Croydon-based creatives to shape the future of culture in the borough. The second was made possible through the generous support of our event partners.
But to keep the momentum going and and make the next Lit Nights even bigger and better – we’re looking for a sponsor to come on board.
Here’s how you can help:
- Like and leave comments on our Lit Nights Instagram posts. Positive feedback helps us show potential sponsors/funders the interest in these events and the impact they are having.
- Spread the word – if you know a business, organisation or brand that shares our values and wants to support culture, conversation and community in Croydon, please let them know about us!
Interested in partnering with us? Drop us a note at info@eastcroydoncool.co.uk.
EAST CROYDON COOL 