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Tonight on KERA: Paul Rusesabagina on The Writers Studio


by Anne Bothwell 20 May 2010 7:07 AM

The Writers Studio enters its third week, with an interview with the man whose story inspired the film Hotel Rwanda.

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Paul Resesabagina. Photo credit: Kevin Gass

Well, the Writers Studio is in its third week, and tonight’s guest is truly inspiring:  Paul Rusesabagina, the man whose story inspired the film Hotel Rwanda. Show time is 8 p.m.

From the program notes:

Thirteen years ago, as the country of Rwanda descended into madness, one man made a promise to protect the family he loved—and ended up finding the courage to save over 1200 people. Over the course of 100 days, almost one million people were killed in Rwanda. Hotel Rwanda, nominated for three Academy Awards, tells the inspiring story of real-life hero Paul Rusesabagina, who is portrayed in the film by Don Cheadle, a hotel manager in Rwanda who courageously sheltered over a thousand refugees from certain death. His autobiography, An Ordinary Man, delves into Rusesabagina’s personal journey, which has since led him around the world with his message of hope, peace and “never again.”

The Writers Studio is produced by Writers Garrett and presented on KERA by Art&Seek. Let us know what you think of the program. We’ll continue next week with Sigrid Nunez (The Last of Her Kind, A Feather on the Breath of God)

UPDATE: Got a note this a.m. from Kitty Kurth, who works with Paul and informs us of his Texas connections and also what he’s been up to lately:

“Thought you might want a couple of updates on what he has been doing since the interview was taped. Paul is the founder and president of the Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation, which is working to get an internationally sanctioned Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Rwanda and the region in order to create sustainable peace. Paul splits his time between Brussels, Belgium and San Antonio, Texas.”

Kitty Kurth, for the Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation.

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