Page 4 | JK Rowling came to Filia 2023 and it was emotional

Ndd135632 · 2023-10-15T13:59:59+00:00

She is a legend of our time for all women. She spoke about the rape crisis centre she has funded and many other things.

lanadelgrey · 15/10/2023 20:43

Fantastic session preceded it too. It was a truly amazing climax to the whole conference. And it ended with a version of Auld Lang Syne - sadly I lost my paper with the words on. I hope someone else will be able to add them.

RealFeminist · 15/10/2023 20:33

THINGS AT FILA ARE FAR WORSE THAN I FEART

MargotBamborough · 15/10/2023 20:31

GrainneWail · 15/10/2023 20:28

I was earwigging for the whole flight, and I enjoyed it greatly. They decided JKR at Filia was "major Dumbledore energy" even if they weren't sure "the second wavers" would actually know who she was??? 😁That said, they were also well versed in Maya's experiences and judgements and Julie B's long and impressive track record in the field, so they are no slouches themselves.

The woman sitting me was a clear veteran of the second wave and was so lovely chatting to them as we were disembarking, reassuring them that "her friend Julie" knew and was very happy about JKR's attendance. It was a really fantastic couple of hours all in, almost as good as being there myself.

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Fantastic. It's anecdotes like this about young people which make me hope that not all is lost.

GrainneWail · 15/10/2023 20:28

MargotBamborough · 15/10/2023 20:17

Oh this is so heartening.

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I was earwigging for the whole flight, and I enjoyed it greatly. They decided JKR at Filia was "major Dumbledore energy" even if they weren't sure "the second wavers" would actually know who she was??? 😁That said, they were also well versed in Maya's experiences and judgements and Julie B's long and impressive track record in the field, so they are no slouches themselves.

The woman sitting me was a clear veteran of the second wave and was so lovely chatting to them as we were disembarking, reassuring them that "her friend Julie" knew and was very happy about JKR's attendance. It was a really fantastic couple of hours all in, almost as good as being there myself.

IamSarah · 15/10/2023 20:21

I cannot believe that was the one bit of Filia I missed 😭😭😭

I really hope there is a recording.

MargotBamborough · 15/10/2023 20:20

This probably sounds really stupid but I have a little dream that one day I might spot JKR at the airport or in a restaurant or something and pluck up the courage to go and say hello and thank her for everything she's done.

PonyPatter44 · 15/10/2023 20:20

That sounds amazing. I have checked the website, there are no tickets for 2025 on sale yet.... keep your eyes open, wimms.

SpiderMaam · 15/10/2023 20:19

Please tell me that JK admitted to being a secret Mumsnetter?

TheseCowsAreSmall · 15/10/2023 20:19

How fantastic!! I have total FOMO.

MrsOvertonsWindow · 15/10/2023 20:17

Great to hear this. Women need as much collaboration & celebration as possible. The onslaught on us and our identity is relentless with a never ending stream of new Victorian regressive misogynists trying to stop our fundamental right in a democracy - to meet and talk.

MargotBamborough · 15/10/2023 20:17

GrainneWail · 15/10/2023 16:55

I'm on a plane, with 2 early twenties women behind me talking about JKR and what an absolute "legebag badass" she is and how they feel sorry for Julie Bindel (also a legend in their view) getting overshadowed 😁

Edited

Oh this is so heartening.

CrossPurposes · 15/10/2023 20:03

Waitwhat23 · 15/10/2023 15:58

I too would love to know if the talks were filmed and will be available to watch if anyone knows?

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https://x.com/rowlinglibrary/status/1713550243646640399?s=20

We were asked not to record it on our phones but it might be available at some point.

https://x.com/rowlinglibrary/status/1713550243646640399?s=20

CrossPurposes · 15/10/2023 19:58

EmpressaurusOfCats · 15/10/2023 18:22

What was it like when people realised she was there? Did the room explode?

Yes.

BillyOwen · 15/10/2023 19:07

The subterranean nature of The Arches (the venue for Filia) gives off bunker room vibes. I can’t help but imagine the women coming out into the daylight, energised, empowered and ready to get things moving. Wonderful.

vegancheeseplant · 15/10/2023 19:03

It was so lovely. She was introduced as the founder of Beira's Place rather than anything else, which I thought was a nice touch too.

334bu · 15/10/2023 18:59

Meeting started and then she was there. She and Julie Bindel are quite the comedy duo and there were lots of laughs as well as tears.

Original poster

Ndd135632 · 15/10/2023 18:30

Well there was collective shock!

OP posts:

EmpressaurusOfCats · 15/10/2023 18:22

What was it like when people realised she was there? Did the room explode?

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 15/10/2023 18:14

Thingybob · 15/10/2023 15:19

Sounds amazing and I'd have loved to be there but unfortunately wasn't able to get a ticket this year.

Where is it being held next year?

Next Filia will be south of England, in 2025.(2 yrs away). Capacity of 3000!

Tickets now availablr

NitroNine · 15/10/2023 17:26

@VaddaABeetch
Jo Phoenix who asked what is the collective term for a group of Jos. I say a Reality

What about a bravery? (A “boldness” has potential for confusion & clearly Positive Adjectives Only…)

Both work for Jo March & Jo Bettany as well. For those times when fictional Jos happen into consideration.

GrainneWail · 15/10/2023 16:55

I'm on a plane, with 2 early twenties women behind me talking about JKR and what an absolute "legebag badass" she is and how they feel sorry for Julie Bindel (also a legend in their view) getting overshadowed 😁

ArabellaScott · 15/10/2023 16:45

💚💜💗

Waitwhat23 · 15/10/2023 16:19

Scout2016 · 15/10/2023 16:09

@Waitwhat23 yes some were meant to be being filmed and shared on their site and maybe YouTube I think. But I don't know if this one was, given how freely everyone was speaking and the request for no filming by attendees.

Thank you. I hadn't actually thought about filming not happening to allow people to speak freely so that makes sense if some/all weren't filmed.

Scout2016 · 15/10/2023 16:09

@Waitwhat23 yes some were meant to be being filmed and shared on their site and maybe YouTube I think. But I don't know if this one was, given how freely everyone was speaking and the request for no filming by attendees.

Scout2016 · 15/10/2023 16:07

I agree she was fantastic. Just so clear eyed and human. It was a wonderful event overall but that was such a brilliant suprise.
I was wondering what the staff would have made of it all. Some of them must have been looking round the attendees and stands and wondering what the fuss was about, then to cap it off JKR turns up.