On August 21st, Crossing Borders had the privilege of hosting another powerful Food for Thought dinner, this time with guest speaker Michelle Pace. A storyteller at heart and a professor at Roskilde University, Michelle traced her life’s journey with candor and courage, reminding us all that truth is always worth the fight.
Michelle began by reflecting on her childhood in Malta, where her grandfather’s socialist, anti-colonial beliefs planted in her an early awareness of social justice. Growing up during a period of decolonisation, she developed an inquisitive spirit and a deep commitment to understanding the world as a global citizen. “Once you open up to humanity,” she reminded us, “humanity opens back up to you.”
Her path eventually led her to Palestine, where she witnessed firsthand the resilience of its people. She recalled women still wearing the house keys from before the Nakba around their necks, a symbol of their unbroken connection to their land. These stories, she explained, inspired her to write, teach, and speak out, because history is not just to be read but to be listened to and lived through the voices of those who endure it.
Throughout the evening, Michelle emphasized that Palestine is not a distant issue—it is a European issue, shaped by Europe’s colonial legacy and perpetuated by its institutions. She spoke openly about the pressures she has faced as an educator, from attempts to censor her lectures on Palestine to demands that she reveal the names of students participating in pro-Palestine demonstrations. Despite these repressive mechanisms, she insisted on the role of education as a light, a place where questioning authority and telling the truth must remain central.
Her words resonated deeply with the full house of more than 40 participants. The conversation stretched late into the evening, as attendees engaged with Michelle and with one another in a spirit of thoughtful dialogue. Questions and reflections flowed freely, and Michelle responded with warmth and conviction, never shying away from difficult truths.
As people slowly made their way home, the atmosphere remained charged with courage and solidarity. Michelle’s story was not only a call to speak up for Palestine but also a reminder of the broader struggle against colonialism in all its forms. To listen, to tell stories, to resist censorship, and to unite against oppression.
The evening closed with a powerful takeaway: truth is always worth living for, and always worth fighting for.
