Ginsights with Andra Putnis
6-8pm Thursday 10 April
On Thursday 10 April from 6-8 pm, Big River Distilling Co and paperchain bookstore will host Ginsights with guest author Andra Putnis, whose memoir Stories My Grandmothers Didn’t Tell Me reveals the incredible tales of how her two Latvian grandmothers lived through the terror of the Second World War and survived to immigrate to Australia. Against the backdrop of our current uncertain world, this is a book that reminds us of why we need the stories of our grandmothers to understand the past and its impact on the present.
All are welcome to come along to join this informal reader/writer conversation at Big River, 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick. Use Entry 2 off Dairy Road and park in carpark P4. Bookings required tickets $10 per person.
This memoir has been described by Biff Ward, much-loved Canberra author and activist, as ‘Deeply moving, brilliantly crafted and powerfully written, this memoir is an object lesson in how ordinary lives are rendered extraordinary by curiosity, persistence and love. It gave me knowledge, joy and tears.’ Peter Greste, award-winning journalist, author and Professor of Journalism at Macquarie University, described it as 'An elegant, absorbing story of ordinary people thrown into extraordinary crisis, and how they draw on their reserves of love, strength and resilience to survive.'
Andra lives in Canberra and has recently been appointed Creative Director of the Canberra Writers Festival. Our conversation will explore how Andra plucked up the courage to delve into her grandmothers' hidden stories and her fascination with how personal family tales intersect with major global upheavals. It's also a chance for us to talk about what is inspiring her programming for the 2025 Canberra Writers Festival to be held on 22-26 October and share our ideas!
We will be serving a signature cocktail in honour of Andra’s visit, featuring Big River Cinn Gin, with spices that evoke Andra’s memories of her Grandma Milda's cinnamon scrolls.