New voices in literature

Why are there so few ”other” voices in Norwegian literature? What has become of the other voices, those from other cultures, other classes, those with a different view of the world, and of us? Why is so little literature from the cultures where most people in Norway from minority backgrounds come from?

The Norwegian literary system has schemes intended to promote polyphonic literature, but do they work? How can institutions and organisations help promote new voices?

We invite the public to an energetic and action-oriented discussion on the cultural policy measures in the field of literature: What have we succeeded with, and what is it that does not work? What can we do to improve?

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Programme

12.00 p.m.: Welcome
12.05 p.m.: Shabana Rehman Gaarder: Where do we come from? Who are we? Where are we going?

12.15 p.m.: What is being done? The institutional voices.
A number of attempts have been made to bring more voices into literature. What has been the idea behind them and how have they worked? What we can learn from what has been done, including learning from our mistakes and building further on our successes? Representatives of different institutions point out what they have tried and what experiences they have gained.

Panel moderator: Asta Busingye Lydersen

Panelists:
Nazneen Khan-Østrem, Aschehoug Publishing House
Otto Haug, Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, Eastern Norway broadcast
Kristin Ørjasæter, the Norwegian Institute for Children’s Books
Arne Vestbø, Arts Council Norway

1.15 p.m.: Break

1.25 p.m.: Voices and experiences
What is it like to be on the outside and try to gain access to the Norwegian literary field?

Panel moderator: Asta Busingye Lydersen

On the panel:
Walid al-Kubaisi, author and panellist
Amal Aden, author and speaker
Manal Al-Sheikh, author and translator

2.25 p.m.: What should we do now?
Panel moderator: Ika Kaminka

On the panel:
Noman Mubashir, NRK
Bente Riise, The Norwegian Association of the Periodical Press
Tore Slaatta., The Norwegian Non-Fiction Writers and Translators Association

Free entrance, no registration