27. Apr 2014

ICORN goes to Brazil

Brazil, which numerous writers at the festival will be discussing. To the right: Mohsen Emadi

ICORN guest writer in Mexico City, Mohsen Emadi, will discuss freedom of expression and the creation of a House of Refuge in Brazil when he participates in a row of literary events, debates and lectures, in the cities of Curitiba, Rio de Janeiro and Ouro Preto.

During the literary festival and social project FLUPP that takes place in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro and Curitiba, ICORN guest writer Mohsen Emadi discusses the topics of literature and freedom of expression and will read his poems. Together with CABRA and Brazilian PEN, he will also use the occasion to boost support for establishing a house of refuge for persecuted writers in Brazil.

The creation of the Brazilian House of Refuge (CABRA) is inspired by Casa Refugio in Mexico City.Casa Refugio Citlaltépetl Mexico City has been an ICORN member since the network started operating in 2006 and has hosted a wide range of persecuted writers. With its director Philippe Olle-Laprune, Casa Refugio is presently hosting the distinguished Iranian writer Mohsen Emadi as a part of the ICORN programme.

Mohsen Emadi in Curitiba, Rio de Janeiro and Ouro Preto

At FLUPP in Curibita, Emadi will participate in a debate with Brazilian writer, Cristovão Tezza on Friday 25 April. He will perform in Rio de Janeiro on 28 April at the "Meet an Author" programme of the Brazilian PEN, on topics related to literature and freedom of expression. After reading his poems, he will join a debate about the creation of the Brazilian House of Refuge (CABRA). On Wednesday, April 30, Mohsen Emadi will give a lecture at the University of Ouro Preto (UFOP).

Brazilian PEN and FLUPP for a house of refuge in Rio de Janeiro

The events are organized by Brazilian PEN and the Peripheries Literary Festival (FLUPP) and aims to study the possibility of finding support from organizations and individuals for the installation and operation of the Brazilian House of Refuge (CABRA) in the city of Rio de Janeiro, the first to be established in South America.

The leaders of CABRA are organizing a symposium on freedom of expression and literature to be held in October/November 2014 in Brazil, where ICORN will be present.

We are extremely enthusiastic about the initiative to create houses of refuge in Brazil, and warmly welcome the initiative to expand the network into the region. The conditions for establishing ICORN in Brazil are good, not only because of the diversity and hospitality of the country’s culture, but also because of Brazil’s recent history. Brazilian artists, writers and intellectuals spent many years in exile only a few decades ago, and recognize the needs of their persecuted colleagues today.

says Elisabeth Dyvik, ICORN Programme Director.

FLUPP literary festival and social project

FLUPP (Literary Festival of the UPPs) is a literary festival in Morro Dos Prazeres, a recently ‘pacified’ favela or shantytown in Rio de Janeiro. First launched in 2012, Rio de Janeiro’s alternative literary festival is dedicated to bringing the pleasures of reading to a wider audience using literature to explore and bridge the gap between favela residents and the city by focusing on the writing talents of favela residents themselves. One of the objectives is engaging vulnerable communities with excellence in the Arts, offering opportunities for emerging talents.

The festival takes place in favelas with a permanent police presence, known as UPPs, or units of police pacification, deployed to drive drug related crime out of the local areas.