Muhammad Aladdin
(Egypt,1979) published his sensational novel The Gospel According to Adam in 2006. Aladdin, also known as Alaa Edin, has also written short stories and comic books for teenagers, as well as four other novels. Since the publication of The Gospel..., Aladdin is seen as an innovator in Arabic literature, given that the entire novel consists of one 60-page paragraph in "stream of consciousness" style. In it, he describes a society where all certainty has disappeared. Aladdin doesn't shy away from taboo in his work, and as a writer he enjoys rocking the boat. In May of 2013 he delivered a speech against the Egyptian regime at a gathering of Egyptian writers. Later, however, he refused to give a lecture because he feared that his words would be misused by the new leaders. Aladdin likes to experiment with different styles. For example, he uses a lot of slang in his latest novel about a writer of online stories, A Well-trained Stray (2014).
Past events
Tear Down the Wall
Muhammad Aladdin (Egypt), Niña Weijers (NL), and graphic novelist Leela Corman (US) touch on sensitive issues in their work. "If a man isn't willing to stand behind his opinions, either his opinions are no good or he's no good," said poet Ezra Pound. Do art and literature create a safe environment for breaking taboos?
Violence and Religion - Opening Lecture by Karen Armstrong
British author Karen Armstrong starts off with the 9th Winternachten Lecture. Her subject is violence and religion. What are the factors that lead to eruptions of violence and war? How can we live together peacefully despite religious and cultural differences? Is religion really a motive for the use of force? After the lecture, Sheila Sitalsing will be in conversation with Karen Armstrong. Dutch essayist Paul Scheffer and Egyptian writer Muhammad Aladdin will also take part in the discussion.
