I will moderate talks, readings on feminist poetry, reclaiming space through writing, and run a poetry translation workshop during the Freedom Book Fair in The Hague.
PROGRAMME
Reclaiming Space through Writing
Friday 3 May at 20h30 - 21h45
Speakers: Tato Martirossian, Billy Haddad, Öznur Şenyurt en Muzaffer Söylemez
Hosted by Canan Marasligil
The Freedom Book Fair will offer writers a platform to expose their work to an audience. The four speakers and performers in this event will demonstrate how they claim their space in society through their writing. The three performers are Tato Martirossian, Billy Haddad, Öznur Şenyurt and Muzaffer Söylemez*.
The speakers will share stories, poems, and spoken word performances. They all live in the Netherlands, but each have roots in other countries. How can they let their voice be heard? What struggles do they face? Is there space for them to express themselves? The festival is creating a space where they can hear other voices and find an audience in the Netherlands!
Together with moderator Canan Marasligil they will discuss if and how their identity is intertwined with their writing and how their bicultural identity inspires them.
*Elif Söylemez will be speaking during this event on behalf of her father who is no longer among us.
In loving memory of Muzaffer Söylemez.
Women Poets Reclaim Space: a Look at Poetry from Honduras and Afghanistan
Saturday 4 May at 17:00 - 18:15
Speakers: Lety Elvir & Homaira Nakhat Dastgirzada
Moderator: Canan Marasligil
Poetry has always been a powerful tool of resistance. At this event, we will dive into poetry written by women from Honduras and Afghanistan, looking at the role of poetry as a means of resistance but also an urgent tool for imagination in times when artistic freedom gets restricted.
Poetry Translation Workshop
Saturday 4 May at 14:30-16:00
Have you ever tried to translate a poem or a song? Do you enjoy playing with words? How about playing with words in a language you don’t speak?
The Freedom Book Fair invites you to participate in this poetry translation workshop. Together with literary translator and writer Canan Marasligil we will explore poetry written by women authors. This workshop is open to everyone. No previous knowledge of any language or literature translation is necessary. The only thing required is curiosity and a desire to be creative. This workshop will be conducted in English but your creative work can be in any language!