Karl Ove Knausgård
(Norway, 1968) is a writer, translator, and literary "rock star." He debuted in 1988 with Ute av verden (Out of this World), which won the Norwegian Critics' Prize. His second book En tid for alt from 2004 was published in Dutch as Engelen vallen langzaam (Angels Fall Slowly).On the basis of biblical fragments it reveals links between religion and science. His six-part autobiographical novel cycle Min kamp (My Struggle) from 2009-2011 is a global hit. In it, Knausgård talks about his life and his relationships with parents and friends. In revealing language he describes the downfall of his alcoholic, divorced father. Other parts of the cycle were published in Dutch as Liefde (Love, 2012), Zoon (Son, 2013), Nacht (Night, 2013), Schrijver (Writer, 2014) and Vrouw (Wife, 2015). In 2015 and 2016 he published the four-part The Four Seasons, an autobiographical series about his newly born daughter Anne.
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Archive available for: Karl Ove Knausgård
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In Conversation with Karl Ove Knausgård
With: Karl Ove Knausgård, Stine Jensen
Karl Ove Knausgård (Norway, 1968) is a writer, translator and literary "rock star". His autobiographical novel cycle My Struggle (2009-2011) is a worldwide hit. In six hefty parts, Knausgård tells us about his life and his relationship with parents and friends. He doesn't spare his friends and family. The series was published in Dutch as Father (2012), Love (2012), Son (2013), Night (2013), Writer (2014) and Woman (2015). Gripped by Knausgård's autobiographical confessions, many fans and critics eagerly anticipated Woman. My Struggle is a declaration of love to the phenomenal ordinariness of life, but has also been described as "the battle between a bastard and a loving person, both named Karl Ove Knausgård". Stine Jensen (who for health reasons takes over from the earlier announced Wim Brands) interviews Knausgård about memory, the explanation for his worldwide success, and the question of what in the world he can still write after My Struggle. In English
Please note: a book-signing session takes place at 13:45, prior to the event! Afterwards, you can attend the Book Club, where two panellists make short presentations about Knausgård's work and the public is invited to share its thoughts. In Dutch
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Opening Night: Free the Word!
With: David Van Reybrouck, Dinar Rahayu, Farah Karimi, John Ralston Saul, Joris Wijsmuller, Karl Ove Knausgård, Leela Corman, Mano Bouzamour, Manon Uphoff, Mohammed Benzakour, Nelleke Noordervliet, Pauni Trio, Petra Stienen, Razan al-Maghrabi, Ton van de Langkruis
A special opening night featuring a keynote speech by Karl Ove Knausgård, the Oxfam Novib PEN Awards for Freedom of Expression, a debate moderated by Petra Stienen, and concluding words by David Van Reybrouck.
Freedom of speech and the power of the word are central issues on the festival's opening night. The president of PEN International, John Ralston Saul, will introduce the Norwegian author Karl Ove Knausgård, who delivers the keynote Free Word Speech. Farah Karimi, director of Oxfam Novib will announce the laureates of the prestigious Oxfam Novib PEN Awards for Freedom of Expression. The awards honour writers who seek out and propagate the truth, sometimes at the risk of their own lives. Razan al-Maghrabi was one of the laureates, who could be present at the festival to receive the award. After an interview with Manon Uphoff (president of PEN Nederland), there will be adebate, moderated by Petra Stienen, on religious extremism and the value of provocation. Panellists include writers Mohammed Benzakour, Mano Bouzamour, cartoonist Leela Corman and Dinar Rahayu (Indonesia). David Van Reybrouck rounds out the evening with one his poems. After the programme, Writers Unlimited chair Nelleke Noordervliet and Alderman for culture of The Hague Joris Wijsmuller adress founder and festivaldirector Ton van de Langkruis on the occasion of the 20th edition of the festival. This event was put together with the collaboration of PEN International, PEN Nederland and Oxfam Novib.