The Freedom of Expression Square at the 2022 Gothenburg Book Fair
Yttrandefrihetstorget (the Freedom of Expression Square) at the 2022 Gothenburg Book Fair provides space for conversations on freedom of expression, human rights, democracy, and the importance of ICORN Cities of Refuge in these issues.
This year’s Freedom of Expression Square is a collaboration between ICORN, Dawit Isaak Library, Hanaholmen, a cultural centre for Sweden and Finland, Jonsereds Herrgård at the University of Gothenburg, and the Cultural Department of the City of Gothenberg. More than 30 discussions are being held at the Square for the duration of the four-day Book Fair between September 22nd-25th, 2022.
Yttrandefrihetstorget’s stand consists of a stage designed to host conversations on ever more pressing issues and engage the Book Fair’s visitors in them. Contributions from current and former ICORN writers and artists feature each day of the programme. From discussions on the difficulties of finding cultural avenues in new contexts, the current situation of conflicts in Ukraine, Yemen, and Afghanistan, the recent elections in Sweden, to the general theme of the Gothenburg Book Fair ‘South Africa’. Aside from the stage, the Square features an exhibition by team from the Dawit Isaak Library in Malmö, a library of literature written by authors subjected to censorship and repression. The Dawit Isaak Library installation presents banned books, containing a ‘freedom of expression’ warning and information on the reasons why each of the exhibited books was banned, as well as where and when. Visitors to the Book Fair can purchase some of the banned books on display at the Dawit Issak Library Stand and talk to the team of librarians about the implications of censorship.
On Thursday morning, Yttrandefrihetstorget officially opened with a conversation on the topic of finding spaces for creative professionals in new contexts. The panel included Palestinian poet and current ICORN resident in Uddevalla, Duaa Kamel, Christina Ågren (responsible for diversity and inclusion at SVT), and Power Ekroth (curator and coordinator at Artists at Risk and SWAN). The discussion was moderated by Karin Hansson, ICORN’s National Coordinator for Sweden and revolved around Kamel’s experiences since her arrival in Sweden as well as the professional expertise of the other panellists. It encapsulated the various challenges and opportunities presented to both the newly arrived creative professionals and the organisations assisting them. On Friday, Duaa Kamel will also read poetry as an opening to a conversation between Swedish politicians whose cities are part of ICORN.
On Friday, the Freedom of Expression Square will see a collaboration between ICORN and Reporters without Borders, exploring the significance of becoming an involuntary war reporter in one’s own country. Wali Arian, Afghan journalist and ICORN resident in Malmö will talk with journalist Urban Hamid on issues journalism under persecution, but also in exile.
On the third day of the Gothenburg Book Fair, the Square will host two events featuring ICORN residents. Palestinian-Syrian sociologist and current ICORN resident in Gothenburg Ahmad Azzam and Dua Kamel will discuss the consequences of speaking truth to power, and whether it is worth it at all. In the afternoon, prominent publisher, human rights activist and former ICORN resident in Ragip Zarakolu will talk about legal and human rights abuses in his home country Türkiye and reflect on life for Turkish exiles in Sweden.
The last ICORN resident to take part in Yttrandefrihetstorget will be award-winning Yemeni writer and current ICORN resident in Amsterdam Hafsah Mujali. Mujali will engage in conversation with writer and author Hana al-Khamri to reflect on why the crisis in Yemen has been forgotten by media.
As well as ICORN writers and artists, ICORN staff and coordinators also took part in the Freedom of Expression Square. On Thursday, Helge Lunde, ICORN’s Executive Director, will lead a panel discussion on the role of Nordic countries in offering sanctuary to persecuted writers, artists, and journalists. Helge will be joined by Kasja Ravin, the Director of the Swedish Arts Council, Benny Marcel, the Director of the Nordic Culture Fund, and Ola Kellgren, the former Director of the Nordic Culture Point. Later, Åsa Steinsvik, producer at Kulturhuset Stadsteatern and ICORN coordinator in Stockholm will moderate a talk between Dawit Isaak Library staff on banned literature, freedom of expression, and being offended.
