Razan al-Maghrabi

(Libya) is a well-known novelist, short-story writer, and journalist. She has published five collections of short stories, two novels, and one volume of poetry since 2000; her novel Women of Wind was longlisted for the 2011 International Prize for Arabic Fiction. Al-Moghrabi is known for her advocacy of women's rights and freedom of expression, and for her criticism of religious extremism. She has written for Arabic-language newspapers since 1991, edited cultural publications, and produced programmes for Libyan television about cultural issues. Her outspokenness and refusal to wear a veil has led to regular anonymous street harassment and threats to her life. She lives in constant fear of attack, kidnapping, or arrest; in December 2013 armed militia men fired shots at the entrance of her house in Tripoli. In 2012 Al-Maghrabi organised the first-ever conference on women's rights in that city, and in 2013 she spoke at the UN Commission on the Status of Women about violations of women's rights taking place in Libya.
(WU 15 GR)Archive available for: Razan al-Maghrabi
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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.