Elizabeth Filippouli, Livia Firth and Annabel Karmel discuss how women are not just able to inspire each other, but also to motivate and reinvent our world.

Filippouli has brought together a collection of letters written by accomplished women from around the world - politicians, royalty, actors, authors, activists and more - that are addressed to a woman who means something to each of them. The letters are based on the women’s personal histories and experiences, drawing attention to social issues such as gender equality, homelessness, war, LGBTQ activism, mental health, Covid19 and the refugee crisis.

Among the contributors are Firth, whose letter is ‘to the women who shaped me, among them Annie Lennox and Carole Cadwalladr’, and Karmel, who writes to her daughter Lara Karmel.

This event begins with pre-recorded readings of some of the letters by Kate Winslet, Suzanne Packer and others followed by our panel discussion chaired by Jenny Lacey.

From Women to the World: Letters for a New Century is published by Bloomsbury. Buy a copy from Waterstones, our bookselling partners.

It’s important to us that ideas and debate are affordable to everyone. It’s also important that our commentators, artists, writers, poets and thinkers are paid. This is a Pay What You Can event. You are invited to choose your own contribution to the event, from £0 to £8. All proceeds go towards supporting our speakers and sustaining Bristol Ideas. The option to attend for free is available for all online events.

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Elizabeth Filippouli image credit Piranha Photography

Festival of Ideas: How Do We Inspire, Motivate and Reinvent Our World?