MEET FATIMA UYGUN, OUR JANUARY 2025 SPEAKER
January’s global CreativeMornings theme is JOURNEY, chosen by the Muscat chapter in Oman.
As we travel through life, everyone you meet is at a different point in their own unique journey. Some of us know where we’re going. While other paths are full of twists, turns, and obstacles thrown in our way. The trick is to embrace the detours and delays. Because there are no shortcuts on a journey of self-discovery or creative expression. Just please remember: you are not traveling alone.
When we were thinking about the theme for this month, the journey of the Govanhill Baths comes to mind, which was closed many years ago, almost sold off, but then through remarkable community organising and protest, were saved which began a long journey to creative fundraising and renovation through the development of the Govanhill Baths Community Trust. One of the consistent driving forces behind the efforts is this month’s speaker, Fatima Uygun. Being a leading part of the Govanhill Baths story is actually just one feather in Fatima’s hat, though. In addition to community activist, Fatima is also a artist, playwright, and cultural worker.
CM Glasgow: What do you think about when you consider this month’s theme of JOURNEY?
Fatima: I think life is short, fill it with experiences and memories that help make the world a better place. We are also social beings and our journeys always intersect with others which is when we can make a real impact.
CM: What motivates you day to day?
Fatima: Someone once described me as a, ‘obsessive 'lifeaholic’. I’m not sure what that means other than I don’t like to sit still very much. Two things motivate me. One is discovering and experiencing new things, learning and being creative. The second is the felief that we are social beings with the power to bring about collective change.
CM: What’s a typical day like for you?
Fatima: My days are almost always full, made up of weekday and weekend routines.
During the week I awake, make breakfast and make lunch to take to work. Do a sudoku puzzle or play online chess with coffee. I’m an admin on a number of social media sites so I do some admin for that and do some charity admin. By 9.30am I start work: meetings, funding applications, budgeting, etc. At 5.30pm I’m off for a walk home and then dinner. I have a number of weeknight activities like 5-a-side women's football, political meetings, or something creative like writing night or spend time in studio doing pottery or painting. On Fridays is usually arts night, see a play, music or another cultural event.
On Saturdays I do gardening–outdoor gardening in spring and summer and indoor gardening year round (I have 84 plants). I spend time in the studio, meet friends, watch football (Celtic and Crystal Palace), and have a movie night. Sundays are for papers, crosswords, housework, a walk in park, and in the evenings Star Trek.
CM: Tunnocks Tea Cakes or Caramel Wafers?
Fatima: Caramel wafers, though I don’t really have a sweet tooth.
CM: Lastly, if you could describe Glasgow in one word, what would it be?
Fatima: Bruised.
Fatima will be our speaker on Friday, January 31st at ALT’s offices at McLellan Works on Sauciehall Street. Tickets include breakfast and are free but space is limited. Get yours here!
