Rwandan holocaust survivor and author to speak at LSU

By Kim Foster

Immaculée Ilibagiza, author of “Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust,” is set to discuss her inspirational story of survival and faith at the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student Athletes at 7p.m. on July 31. Ilibagiza is a survivor of the slaughter that took place during the Rwandan genocide in 1994.


This free event is part of the 2008 summer selection program sponsored by One Book One Community and partner organizations that include LSU, BRCC, Southern University, the YWCA Greater Baton Rouge, Forum 35 and East Baton Rouge Parish Library, among others. According to Michelle Spielman, Steering Committee Member for the OBOC, Ilibagiza will answer all questions readers may have as well as talk over the social issues that her memoir brings to light.

Spielman said that several groups in the Baton Rouge community, including local book clubs and church groups, have already been discussing Ilibagiza’s memoir over the past few weeks. OBOC is in its third year of promoting two books annually. The summer selection is a non-fiction title whose author is invited to come to the community to discuss. Spielman said the OBOC is an organization “by the community and for the community.”

For more information, please contact Michelle Spielman at 225-578-4675, or visit the One Book One Community Web site at www.readonebook.org.