Astrid Lindgren once said, “Everything great that ever happened in the world, happened first in somebody’s imagination.” Throughout history, books have been burned, banned, and censored by various authorities and groups for a multitude of reasons, often in defense of diverse norms. Now, agitation against books is resurging worldwide, spanning both the East and the West. What historical and societal factors contribute to this aggression, and what does it reveal about the power struggles at play?
Research, fiction, poetry and non-fiction all serve as platforms for advocating freedom of expression. Currently, the United States is facing an unprecedented level of censorship in children’s books and other literature. How does the situation compare in other parts of the world including Sweden? How does censorship impact the development of readers, their search for meaning, identity and truth? What role will literature and language play in shaping the narrative of history? How can we embrace the power of forbidden narratives in defense of the open society?
Laurie Halse Anderson author, Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award laureate 2023, US, Fredrik Fällman Associate Professor of Sinology, Assistant Head of Department, Department of Languages and Literatures, University of Gothenburg, board member Swedish PEN, and Katti Hoflin Head of Cultural Affairs and Democracy, Region Västra Götaland.
---
INVITATIONS
You need an invitation to attend this seminar. Would you like an invitation, or do you have a colleague or co-worker who you think would like to participate? Send us an e-mail at jonseredsherrgard@gu.se
