Freedom of Expression at the center of 2016 Gothenburg Bookfair

Freedom of Expression is aptly the main theme of the bookfair this year, as Sweden and Finland can celebrate the world’s oldest act for freedom of the press, 250 years, in 2016. ICORN and the three partners have organized more than 50 events for the Freedom of Expression stage, with a speeches and talks every half an hour for four days: Thursday 22 September – Sunday 25 September.

At the Freedom of Expression stand (Ytrandefrihetens monter) there will be discussions about literature, artistic expression and the power and vulnerability of academic mind. What are the threats to freedom of expression in contemporary society - in Sweden and in the world? Who may participate in public discourse? What price does journalists, academics, writers and artists pay in the name of free speech? And how do we perceive the relationship between freedom and other values?

Writers, researchers, journalists and artists from many parts of the world talk about the history, the present and the continuing struggle for freedom and its limitations.

Participating writers and artists from the ICORN network are: Ali Kalaei, Issa Touma, Jude Dibia, Iman Al-Ghaari, Ramy Essam, Parvin Ardalan, Khaled Harara, Tutul, Mohammad Habeeb, Houssam  Al-Mosilli, Ashraf Atraqchi, Anisur Rahman, and others like the President of PEN International, Jennifer Clement and the Swedish Minister of Culture, Alice B. Kunkhe.

Ytrandefrihetens monter/Freedom of Expression stage C 02:08

The talks will take place in the booth Freedom of Expression, (Yttrandefrihetens monter). The Freedom of Expression stand is the first you will see when you enter the exhibition hall from the main entrance of the bookfair (entrance 5).

See the programme for more details.

The programme of main theme Freedom of expression is also available the Bookfair's webpage.

A stronghold of Cities of Refuge in Sweden

It is evident that the movement for free expression in Sweden is vibrant, with their already 20 actively participating ICORN cities of refuge - and more on the way. The cities, partner organisations and hosted ICORN writers and artists participate throughout the bookfair, and particularly at the Freedom of Expression booth organized by the four partners.

ICORN Cities of Refuge in Sweden per September 2016: Dalarna, Eskilstuna, Gävle, Gothenburg, Helsongborg,Region Jönköpings län, Karlstad, Linköping, Malmö, Norrköping, Skellefteå, Sandviken, Skåne, Sigtuna, Stockholm, Umeå, Uddevalla, Uppsala, Växjö, Västra Götalandsregionen.