Shlomit Miky Dan

Oyster River Pages: Who are the writers who have made you who you are? 
Shlomit Miky Dan: Oscar Peer, Peter Stamm, Guy Delisle, Benjamin Percy, David Szalay, Colin Barrett, Larry Watson, Sunil Mann, Halldor Laxness, and Olivier de Kersauson--for his sea descriptions.

ORP: What are the lenses that shape your worldview? 
SMD: Equal access to human rights.

ORP: What’s the most important thing you’ve read/seen lately? 
SMD: Oscar Peer’s book, Coupe Sombre (Editions ZOE, 1999).

ORP: What’s your least favorite word? Why? 
SMD: You should.

ORP: What’s your favorite thing that you’ve created? (line, image, story, etc.) 
SMD: Scouting and promoting emerging, young Swiss photographers.

ORP: What do you want to read/see more of in the world? 
SMD:  Establishing an international, legally-binding policy that will commit to and streamline equal access to human rights, starting with children.

ORP: How do you pay it forward? 
SMD: By promoting states’ legally-binding tools for such a policy, and making a difference by creating an impact in our daily connectedness and conduct. Writing is only one such tool.

ORP: What is the space that has shaped you the most? 
SMD:  The events that I have experienced in the hospital, as told in "Jellyfish Blue Sandals."

ORP: You’ve just written your autobiography. What’s the title?
SMD: The Swishing Snow Flakes, High Up.

SHLOMIT MIKY DAN defines herself as one of the international nomad tribe, living an enriching experience that continues to challenge her curiosity and learning. She studied art history in Boston and Brussels, and received an M.A. in International Relations in Geneva, Switzerland. She has published interviews with writers, artists, arts-related personalities, musicians, and persons committed to human rights. Her journalistic work reflects her interests in these areas, as well as in reporting on issues concerning international relations. She writes in English and French. These days she lives in Geneva, Switzerland, where she feels she has chiseled her writing by attending small workshop groups within the Geneva Writers' Community. Some of her writing can be found at www.mikydan.ch. She can also be contacted at mikydan@mikydan.ch. Read her poignant essay, "Jellyfish Blue Sandals" in ORP's debut issue.