Courage and mobilisation the theme for Uppsala International Literature Festival

“The Festival aims to engage people in thinking about how literature engages with our contemporary world. The Uppsala Literature Festival is special in that we put the spotlight on writers who are not particularly well known in Sweden,” says Christina Kullberg, Professor of French at the Department of Modern Languages, and co-organiser of the Literature Festival through the research programme Democracy and Higher Education.

This year’s theme revolves around how literature and art can strengthen critical thinking and mobilise resistance and empathy in a time of increasing polarisation.

“This year, the focus is even more on democracy and how literature and culture and other art forms can mobilise a kind of resistance and critical thinking, but also the capacity for empathy, curiosity – and love,” says Christina Kullberg.

The Festival programme will shine a particular light on different parts of Europe and the questions that are typical for the region.

“That means Ukraine, but also Germany, Hungary, Sweden – and then some questions that concern the USA and Palestine. If last year had Nigeria in its sights, this year is more about taking a critical look at ourselves in the West,” she says.

Discussions about literature as resistance at the Humanities Theatre

One of the University’s contributions is an in-depth conversation at the Humanities Theatre on Friday. There Jesper Olsson, Professor of Literary Studies at Uppsala University, will moderate a conversation between Geoffroy de Lagasnerie, French philosopher and sociologist; Uljana Wolf, German poet, translator and essayist; and Agri Ismael, Swedish writer and cultural columnist with roots in Iraqi Kurdistan.

The conversation will deal with the role of literature as an act of resistance – in relation to political developments as well as the changing conditions for academia.

“Scientific thinking and research can benefit from learning from other forms of expression, and vice versa. That’s why these kinds of dialogue are important,” says Christina Kullberg.

She links this conversation to questions that are relevant in the cultural sector as well as in academia:

“In these turbulent times, people talk about academic freedom that is under threat, even in the West, and that it is being renegotiated in various ways – and we’re seeing similar discussions in the cultural sector. I think it’s beneficial for both the sciences and culture to discuss these questions together, and to help each other. That in itself is a form of solidarity.”

Festival evening in the Grand Auditorium

One of the big public highlights of the Festival is the evening programme in the Grand Auditorium on Friday 20 March, where international guests will be entertained by Swedish stage artists such as Lisa Nilsson and Imenella. The evening will be hosted by Amanda Ooms and bring together both experienced and new voices in a programme that unites poetry, music and story from many parts of the world.

“The theme for this year’s Festival will be particularly apparent at this event, and it’s also the first time that we’ve let music take such a prominent place alongside poetry,” says Christina Kullberg.

Finally, what do you want the audience to experience at this year’s Festival?

“To take the opportunity to listen! The events are very welcoming and accessible, for everyone. The conversations often include some poetry readings. This Festival is an arena for discovery, and for conversation.”

Emma Hallberg Gardell