Live from Litteraturhuset / the House of Literature in Oslo.

A collaboration between Oslo Internasjonale Teaterfestival / Black Box teater and Litteraturhuset / The House of Literature.

“It is not the difference which immobilises us, but silence. And there are so many silences to be broken.” – Audre Lorde – The Transformation of Silence into Language

The American writer and activist Audre Lorde (1934-1992) described herself as «black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet». She was an uncompromising figure who refused to let herself be defined by others, and was instrumental in the development of intersectional thinking. What is the legacy of Lorde’s poetry and theory, and how has her work opened up for new perspectives?

In this seminar dedicated to Lorde’s life and writing, dancer and writer Grace Tabea Tenga and postdoctoral fellow in English literature Louisa Olufsen Layne will meet for an in-depth conversation. During the night we will show three digital mini-lectures giving different perspectives on Lorde’s writing, by author Marjam Idriss, associate professor in English literature Bruce Barnhart, and poet and translator Shadi Angelina Bazeghi. The mini-lectures will be accessible online until 1 May.

After the conversation, there will be a showing of the documentary Audre Lorde – The Berlin years 1984 to 1992 from 2012 by Dagmar Schultz, with an introduction by teacher and writer Mohammed Abdi. The film will also be accessible online from 17–19 March. In closing, we will open for audience participation.