Writers at risk
Suppression of speech is probably as old as speech itself, and this troubling tradition of silencing uncomfortable voices is still with us in the 21st century. The reasons why it happens are as varied as the methods used to do it.
Tsitsi Dangarembga (Zimbabwe) and Volha Hapeyeva (Belarus) can both attest from their own experience, and that of other authors in their native countries and beyond, to the difficulties and dangers faced by writers who challenge traditions and power structures. The third guest is Ralf Nestmeyer, vice-president of PEN Germany, who describes the assistance and solidarity that this international organisation and its Writers-in-Exile Programme are able to offer.
The video podcast is chaired by the journalist and blogger James Murua from Kenya.
This event was organised by Frankfurter Buchmesse and James Murua, with funding from the German Federal Foreign Office.
Chair
James Murua, journalist and blogger
Speakers
Tsitsi Dangarembga, author, Zimbabwe
Volha Hapeyeva, author, Belarus
Ralf Nestmeyer, author, Vice-President and Writers in Prison Officer, PEN Germany
Link:
https://www.jamesmurua.com/category/james-murua-literary-livestream/
https://www.german-stories.de/international-events