Quote of the Month - March 2015

"By and by she cleared out her room, the same way she had cleared out her house. Or she walked between things never touching them. Only sometimes did she stop midway and had a notion of what she was missing. The things she then searched for were in eerie disproportion to the things she had actually lost.
I had assumed that my mother's personality would always stay the same until the very end."


from Okaasan. Meine unbekannte Mutter ("Okaasan. My unknown Mother") by Milena Michiko Flašar (2010, Residenz Verla; my translation)

Milena Michiko Flašar *1980

I called him Necktie

Milena has been one of the many authors present at the Writers Unlimited Festival in Den Haag this year. Quietly and very politely listening to her colleagues she did not stand out immediately. But the things she had to say left an imprint on me to get at least curious. As Milena is Austrian and writes in German, I bought the original title of I called him Necktie = Ich nannte ihn Krawatte which had been in focus at the festival. A pretty book introducing a Japanese phenomenon called 'hikikomori': someone who withdraws from all social life and tries to live in isolation, mainly young adults still living with their parents. In the book itself, we meet two characters: one withdrawing from his former social life and one going the opposite way. A simple story it seems of two lost souls telling their lives to each other in the course of a few weeks. The narrator is very kind and understanding of the two characters' diverse situations. As a reader you feel all sympathy for the two men. But actually they cannot be trusted. The his-stories behind the characters are cruel, sometimes ugly, heartless and unsympathetic. Yet, as a reader you feel all the sympathy for their doings which leaves one torn between rejection and acceptance. Mainly, because you feel trapped by the conflicts they had to deal with in the past. The actions taken or not taken are so recognisable that one feels reminded of similar situations of one's own past. How much can you forgive yourself and/or the characters? Though the characters are clearly Japanese in their setting, their acts are universal - and with it all the book's perfect use of language and rhythm makes it more than brilliant.

And how come that an Austrian writes about a Japanese phenomenon? Milena was born in St. Pölten, Austria, to a Japanese mother and an Austrian father. That might give us some idea.

Her second book Okaasan. Mein unbekannte Mutter ("Okaasan. My unknown Mother"; not yet translated) is actually focusing on her Japanese mother, though in the book it is only a side track which doesn't stand central. As the title indicates, it is mainly about mothers in general. In the first part we are drawn into the life of the narrator but also learn about various other characters and their, obviously, complicated relationships with their mother. Non is true to the main character: she seems to have (had) a good relationship with her mother. Evidently, that relationship is undergoing massive changes as her mother is 'changing' herself. 
Also in this book, the author's craft of the use of language is palpable. It has an energy, strength and rhythm which I compared at some stages to David Grossman's book Falling out of Time which is similarly beautiful in its concept and language. Unfortunately, I was a bit at a loss with the second part of the book when the narrator steps on a plane to stay at an ashram in India for some time. There was some logic in it and the end of the story closes a circle but it somehow didn't fit.

Nevertheless, the author, who studied Comparative Literature, German and Romance philology in Vienna and Berlin, is a very promising author with an exceptional craft in the use of language. Probably, because she is bilingually educated and learned to live in at least two concepts of the world and its languages. Additionally, Milena is also trained as a teacher in 'German as a Foreign Language' (DAF) and is very much aware of language structure. All in all, a splendid background supporting her brilliance in language. 
Her first novel, [ich bin] ("I Am"; no translation) is similarly intriguing and strong in its language use. Unfortunately, only the latest novel has been translated into English (and Dutch). Time to do some more translation, I should say.

Quote of the Month - February 2015

"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?!

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 ?!

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...