Katia Saab was born in Beirut, Lebanon. At 16, she and her family fled the civil war and sought refuge in Quebec, Canada. This experience nurtured a resilience and inner strength that have defined her journey.
After beginning studies in journalism in 1984, Katia paused her academic pursuits to focus on family, later resuming her education and earning a certificate in business management from HEC Montreal in 2008. With 23 years in operations management, she earned recognition as one of Quebec’s eight most influential women in business services in 2013.
Beyond her professional achievements, writing has always been Katia’s true refuge. Poetry allows her to transform life experiences into art. Since retiring in 2021, she has devoted herself fully to reading, writing, and creative expression.
In her collection, Katia invites readers into her poetic universe, sharing works written in her youth and reworked over time. Her writings reflect her personal journey, resilience, and reflections, offering a unique perspective on life, change, and the human experience.
In this talk, I guide the audience through the intimate journey behind Where the Soul Took Shelter. I share moments of childhood amidst war, immigration, motherhood, reinvention, and the quiet rebirth that comes with healing. Through poetry and storytelling, I explore how the soul searches for a home, how traditions shape us, and how we reclaim ourselves after life’s storms.
It is a gentle, heartfelt conversation that reminds us that every life holds a story worth honoring.
“Where the Soul Took Shelter – Writing the Bridges Between Exile and Resilience”
This workshop invites participants to explore their inner landscapes through guided writing, inspired by the themes of my book: identity, memory, migration, healing, and the search for inner refuge.
Through reflection prompts, short writing exercises, and gentle discussion, participants learn how personal stories—whether quiet or turbulent—can become sources of strength, creativity, and connection.
The objective is to help each participant discover their own voice, transform lived experiences into meaningful narratives, and recognize the power of storytelling as a tool for healing and self-expression.
This workshop invites students to explore personal and cultural identity through guided writing exercises inspired by my book. Themes include exile, resilience, memory, and finding a sense of belonging.
Students will:
Reflect on their own experiences
Practice creative and expressive writing
Share ideas in a safe, supportive environment
