"The finest international literature festival of the Netherlands
celebrates its 20th anniversary"
by Ton van de Langkruis, director and founder of the festival
Writers Unlimited - international literature festival 15 - 18 January
Charles Atlas, né Angelo Siciliano, the self-made muscleman on the cover of the 20th edition of the literature festival in Den Haag: from a scrawny weakling to a popular idol - a metaphor?
The Writers Unlimited winternachten internationaal literatuurfestival: from an aside show of writers from Indonesia to the finest international literature festival in the Netherlands with an ample range of international writers? From the happenstance to a vibrant meeting of writers and audience?
Yes, that's it!
The original concept of 20 years ago still stands central at the festival: to bring writers from wide-ranging countries and backgrounds together to discuss and analyse (political) events. Selling books and titles is a welcoming side effect of the festival but the vital idea is to hear and listen to authors who dare to speak up and discuss with each other their point of view.
As usual the central idea is reflected at the opening night: it was more than ever important to start the festival with the award ceremony of the Oxfam Novib/PEN Awards for freedom of expression under the title: "Free the Word!". How significant to give writers the platform to speak up and be made known. Unfortunately, I couldn't be present the evening but you can find all information on the site of PEN international.
I had only two days this year to attend - still I enjoyed a wide variety of authors: Tao Yue from China, Witold Szabiowski from Poland, Muhammad Aladdin from Egypt, Dinar Rahayu form Indonesia, David Grossman from Israel, Karen Armstrong from the UK, and Leela Corman from the USA, to name just a few! And as many authors, as many approaches to the main theme of this year's festival: "At Home". For example a discussion between Israeli author David Grossman, Ethiopian author Maaza Mengiste and American/Mexican writer Jennifer Clement under the title "Home is Where the Hell is": a friend of mine was certain to not read the books by Maaza Mengiste or Jennifer Clement: the excerpts they've read where too much for her to bear. But then again, they only wrote about what people actually have to bear daily. How much can you endure - reading about it or living it?
And if you don't like the way things are - assimilate or walk off?
A lively discussion developed between two verbally well-versed Dutch authors: Nuweira Youskine and Adriaan van Dis. Muhammad Ali or Max Schmeling couldn't have been better with their fists compared to what the two authors did with words. Brilliant!
Actually, are these the only two options? Conform or leave? As David Grossman said in an interview with Lex Bohlmeijer: "I don't like how things are done in my home country and I am not particular happy but still I couldn't think of any other place to be".
But what to do if your 'home' blends various colours? Milena Michiko Flasar, born in Austria with a Japanese mother, Tao Yue, born in China, living now in Amsterdam, Karin Amatmoekrim, born in Suriname with a Javanese mother and a Chinese-Creole father living in NL. Adopt or leave? To where? What about the host country? I still remember grande dame Cynthia McLeod informing about holiday arrangements in Suriname the time a solemn Christian holiday coincided with a lively and joyous Hindu festival. How long will it take to have Bayram/the Sugar Feast acknowledged as an offical holiday in Europe? A daring, maybe outrageous, thought or a welcoming idea?
But still the literary aspect is as important to the festival as the discussions are. Most remarkable again (as last year) - the poetry events on Friday and Saturday night took place in the largest hall of the festival and were packed with attentive listeners. A wonderful opportunity to realise that poetry is vibrant and alive! Not to forget the various musicians who rounded up the festive programmes as Cristina Branko, Fado singer from Portugal interpreting Remco Campert, a Dutch poet, or Anna Montan with bassist Patrick Lauwerends and their mix of jazz and Indonesian kroncong. 
The festival has been again an impressive opportunity to have audacious remarks and ideas triggering your thinking. Even the most simple one as how to 'shorten' a name as Nii Ayikwei Parkes? Just call him 'Nii'? As happened with Belgian author David Van Reybrouck, making him a 'Mr. Van'?!
A wide range of alert authors shaping an awareness for each other's point of view, generating more questions than answers. This mix makes the festival definitely one of the finest literary meetings. One could actually rename it to a literary 'think tank' festival.
I am definitely looking forward to the 21st edition, 14 - 17 January 2016!
P.S.: For those who cannot wait that long: you actually have the option to join the 'Writers Series' at the public library in Den Haag or, newly established, the 'Science Series': a group of scientist in discussion at the library in DH. Find all information here on their website.
Quote of the Month - January 2015
***
This is a time to
make fresh plans and be ready
for good surprises.
***
'American' Haiku by Dar {Hosta} James
Dar {Hosta} James
Dar {Hosta} James is an artist in its broader sense: a painter, writer, illustrator, designer, creative coach, teacher and speaker on creativity. I came across her when I was looking for a suitable quote.
Born in the United States of America, Dar might be an 'unknown' artist but exceedingly worth mentioning. I, myself, stumbled over the designation: "Kazen-Muse Creativity Coach" - someone who "counsel[s] people from all walks of life in order to help them connect with their own creativity and live an authentic life in which they feel they are the best versions of them selves [sic]". An intriguing thought and I count myself lucky to have some practical knowlegde of the idea. It is astonishing how much we re-discover by using our very own creativity, no judgment or marks looming ahead.
Please take your time to check her website http://www.darsworld.com and additionally savour her rich and luscious paintings!
P.S.: Love it: Dar currently lives in New Hope, Pennsylvania! Nomen est omen, isn't it?!
Born in the United States of America, Dar might be an 'unknown' artist but exceedingly worth mentioning. I, myself, stumbled over the designation: "Kazen-Muse Creativity Coach" - someone who "counsel[s] people from all walks of life in order to help them connect with their own creativity and live an authentic life in which they feel they are the best versions of them selves [sic]". An intriguing thought and I count myself lucky to have some practical knowlegde of the idea. It is astonishing how much we re-discover by using our very own creativity, no judgment or marks looming ahead.
Please take your time to check her website http://www.darsworld.com and additionally savour her rich and luscious paintings!
P.S.: Love it: Dar currently lives in New Hope, Pennsylvania! Nomen est omen, isn't it?!
Quote of the Month - December 2014
"'At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge,' said the gentleman, taking up a pen, 'it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries, hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.
[...] a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?'"
from ?! by ?!
[...] a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?'"
from ?! by ?!
Adele Laurie Blue Adkins *1988
Many of you probably recognised the citation from Charles Dicken's novella A Christmas Carol with its main character Scrooge.
While rereading it - in the spirit of the season (!) - I thought of Adele and the row about her supposed decline of Bob Geldorf's request to participate in his project 'Band Aid 30'. I know, I know, Adele isn't really 'unheard' of and additionally, she isn't a writer in the book section - but she did something very remarkable lately. As the headlines called it: she 'snubbed Bob Geldorf and his project Band Aid 30'. Actually, she wasn't the only one and her reason is still under fierce discussion but it is interesting to see Bob Geldorf's reaction to criticism on his project. Criticism put forward to him by reporter Jayne Secker from SkyNews on YouTube: Interview with Bob Geldorf on Band Aid
Somehow it leaves me wondering...
Actually, the novella was published in 1843, more than 150 years earlier from today.
Has much changed in the meantime?
Has much changed since the original 'Band Aid' in 1984?
I am inclined to leave the questions pending and leave it up to you to decide to donate for whatever reason or cause "because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundances rejoices".
P.S.: Does this so-called 'festive season' also relate to Hindus, Buddhist, Muslims, Jews or members of any other religion? Oh, how much it makes me aware of its (limited) Christian background...
While rereading it - in the spirit of the season (!) - I thought of Adele and the row about her supposed decline of Bob Geldorf's request to participate in his project 'Band Aid 30'. I know, I know, Adele isn't really 'unheard' of and additionally, she isn't a writer in the book section - but she did something very remarkable lately. As the headlines called it: she 'snubbed Bob Geldorf and his project Band Aid 30'. Actually, she wasn't the only one and her reason is still under fierce discussion but it is interesting to see Bob Geldorf's reaction to criticism on his project. Criticism put forward to him by reporter Jayne Secker from SkyNews on YouTube: Interview with Bob Geldorf on Band Aid
Somehow it leaves me wondering...
**************************
Actually, the novella was published in 1843, more than 150 years earlier from today.
Has much changed in the meantime?
Has much changed since the original 'Band Aid' in 1984?
I am inclined to leave the questions pending and leave it up to you to decide to donate for whatever reason or cause "because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundances rejoices".
P.S.: Does this so-called 'festive season' also relate to Hindus, Buddhist, Muslims, Jews or members of any other religion? Oh, how much it makes me aware of its (limited) Christian background...
Quote of the Month - November 2014
"I hadn't done it, no. Hadn't lifted the gun. But Dick was right. I'd eaten the good food off the cedar table with the double damask cloth. Slept in the soft beds. Sat in the parlour, never known a day's hunger or cold, never asked where any of it come from.[...] I'd lived in a cosy place made out of secrets and lies. Now I was in another country, and its climate had no mercy. [...]
Shame would keep us silent, shame and the wishing that it was different. Dick and that woman who'd sent me down a johnny-cake, they'd tell their children the story. There was no shame in it for them, only grief. But who would listen to them?
The knowing was Pa's poisonous gift to me, and I was sick with it."
From Sarah Thornhill by Kate Grenville (2011)
Shame would keep us silent, shame and the wishing that it was different. Dick and that woman who'd sent me down a johnny-cake, they'd tell their children the story. There was no shame in it for them, only grief. But who would listen to them?
The knowing was Pa's poisonous gift to me, and I was sick with it."
From Sarah Thornhill by Kate Grenville (2011)
Kate Grenville *1950
Some years ago, a friend returning from Australia, presented me with Kate's book The Secret River. At first, I put it aside for I had judged it by its cover and its somewhat old fashioned language. And additionally, I had never heard of the author...But then I was looking for authors for The English Book Club who had once won the Commonwealth Writers' Prize. And Kate was one of them! So finally, I started reading her book and couldn't stop. I took the book on my list and researched the author.
I have read her loose trilogy on the very beginning of Australia in the meantime: The Secret River, The Lieutenant and Sarah Thornhill and it triggered me so far as to do a reading on these three books at the Volkshochschule (adult education centre) in Aalen/Germany on 25 November. Now having researched so much more on the background it seems whatever I would write about Kate Grenville comes short of what she is and does as an author. Therefore, I decided to just give some quick information on the author and the wish to you to watch the video taped by the Sydney Writers' Centre where Kate reveals her idea of writing, gives ideas to aspiring writers and informs about the 'starting point' of her novels: Interview with Kate Grenville
Kate Grenville, born in Sydney, might be rather unknown in Europe but she is well known in Australia. After completing an Art's degree at Sydney University she worked as an editor in the film industry. In 1976 Kate moved to Europe, living for some years in Paris and London, writing fiction while doing film-editing and secretarial jobs. Inspired by American authors she had met in Paris she moved to America in 1980 to pursue a Master's degree in creative writing. In 1983 Kate returned to Australia and became sub-editor until she won a literary grant in 1986. From then on she focused on her writing and published nine novels, various collections of short stories and four books on writing itself.
Two of her books were made into major films, her book The Idea of Perfection won the Orange Prize of Fiction and The Secret River won the Commonwealth Writers' Prize and was shortlisted for the Man Book Prize in 2006. Especially her loose trilogy on the first settlements in Australia had a large influence on her readership: The Secret River, The Lieutenant and Sarah Thornhill. All cover the first years of colonisation in Australia using historical facts being fictionalised to focus on the way the indigenous people had been 'handled' and how it all influenced not only the people who took action but also those who weren't directly involved or came after. She even goes further and claims that contemporary Australia is still influenced by its 'secret' history, a history not being told. As she says in the interview, she is hopeful that eventually "a shared story about what is a shared history" will come of it. Take your time and watch the video!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)