Markha Valenta
Markha Valenta (1967) assistant-professor at the Radboud University, is especially interested in the interaction between global politics, democratic societies and questions of religion, citizenship, and belonging. Her articles in NRC Handelsblad on Dutch moralism and intolerance have caused a great deal of controversy. Ms Valenta argues in a reply to an article in the Gay Krant on Tariq Ramadan that inside a democracy there must be room to think and act differently. To her this not only applies to homosexuals (Ms Valenta is a lesbian) but to Muslims too, who have their own views on homosexuality.
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Archive available for: Markha Valenta
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Morality, Truth and Fiction in America - Bas Heijne, Brad Watson and Markha Valenta
With: Bas Heijne, Brad Watson, Markha Valenta
What does America represent these days? Now that truth and fiction are blurring more and more, and moral limits are being transgressed daily, what values does this country stand for? "Morality, Truth and Fiction in America" was the topic of a conversation between Bas Heijne and Assistant professor Markha Valenta and the most exciting American author Brad Watson.
Brad Watson's Miss Jane takes place in Mississippi. The novel covers the life of "Miss" Jane, a woman with a birth defect that prevents her from living a "normal" life. Yet she still wants to do the things everyone else does, and Watson thus calls attention to just what it is that is considered a "normal life."
A way to approach reality. A story that provides a way to contemplate what it means to be an American today.Note: Ottessa Moshfegh would originally participate in this programme. She was unfortunately unable to attend due to illness.
B-Unlimited: Markha Valenta, Brad Watson & Bas Heijne
Morality, Truth and Fiction in America | Writers Unlimited
Wednesday 19 September20.30-22.00 hrs
English spoken
Program compiled by Toef Jaeger (Writers Unlimited)
Book sales: Van Stockum Boekverkopers
Central Library, Studio B, Spui 68, The Hague -
Trumpland - with James Kennedy, Markha Valenta and Willem Post
With: James Kennedy, Markha Valenta, Sjoerd de Jong, Willem Post
11 Days before the presidential elections in the USA we imagine 'Trumpland'. In 2015 Donald Trump announced that he would run for the presidency of the United States of America. Where at first his announcement wasn't taken very seriously, there is no way of ignoring him now as a serious contender for one of the most powerful jobs in the world. How unreal is the idea of USA as Trumpland? James Kennedy, American historian, Willem Post, media commentator on American politics, and Markha Valenta (American Studies at Radbout University) will discuss this with the Dutch journalist Sjoerd de Jong (NRC Handelsblad).
What does it say about the United States that all the other Republican candidates were defeated by Donald Trump? What are the implications of his candidacy and what are the consequences if he becomes the new occupant of the White House?
An evening in English.
Curated by Liliane Waanders - Writers Unlimited -
In search of the Golden Rule II
Is there such a thing a A Golden Social Rule to connect people of different cultures? Indian writer Tarun Tejpal and Dutch writer Bas Heijne try to find it. Which rules have become obsolete because of the worldwide economic crisis and the change of the power-balance in the world? What kind of rules were they? And what should take their place. Maybe it is impossible to create shared rules for a world that is changing so fast. Or isn't it? What kind of rules would they be? How would they come into being in the dazzling mix of religions and social diversity in India, Tejpals fatherland? Tarun Tejpal does not only write novels, but, like Bas Heijne, publishes articles and essays in newspapers and magazines. Host: Markha Valenta. In English
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In search of the Golden Rule III
What if you have to work in a country that puts you under all kinds of legal restrictions? Shahriar Mandanipour, expelled from Iran, wrote about the censorship that he had to deal with as a writer. Xue Xinran worked as a radio journalist in China from 1980, until she moved to London in 1997. She wrote books in which she gives a voice to the memories of Mao's contemporaries; people who still find it hard to tell openly about his matter. What to do as a writer if you have to work under circumstances that make it difficult or even impossible to write what you want? Is there a Golden Rule that guides you through this, a principle? Host: Markha Valenta. In English.
