In 2008 Norway celebrates the bicentenary of Henrik Wergeland, Norwegian national poet and activist, engaged in the current issues of his day. By courtesy of the House of Literature and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a two days conference on the humanitarian ideals expressed in Henrik Wergelands’ poetry, life and achievements will be held in Oslo. 

At this interdisciplinary conference authors, journalists, human rights activists, scholars and religious leaders are invited to express their opinions on themes like religion’s potential as a peacemaker, modern diasporas and freedom of expression in a contemporary Middle Eastern perspective.


PROGRAMME
THURSDAY JUNE 5TH

08.15 – 09.00 Registration and coffee 

09.00 – 09.30 Opening address by the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jonas Gahr Støre

SESSION 1 Religion
“Every Religion has a kind and loving heart.” – Henrik Wergeland

Henrik Wergeland was a theologian and a fervent defender of the freedom of faith. He was a believer until his death, but he had an ecumenical understanding of Christianity and of religion in general. In his time he was considered to be a radical, as he strived for the Jews’ admittance to Norway, and because he was well acquainted with Islam. In line with Wergeland’s ideas we will on this conference focus, not first and foremost on religious differences, but on mutual understanding and faith’s reconciling potential. We have invited leaders from Christianity, Judaism and Islam to discuss how religion can contribute to peace.

09.30 – 10.00 Speech by Amin Maalouf

10.00 – 12.00 Panel 
How can religious leaders and common faith in God contribute to peace and reconciliation across borders and religions in the Middle East? What are the premises for a lasting peace between Christians, Muslims and Jews?

Panel: The grand mufti of Sarajevo, dr. Mustafa Ceric, Bishop of Jordan and the Holy Land Munib Jounan, Ayatollah Ahmad Iravani and Rabbi Ma'ayan Turner

Moderator: Gunnar Stålsett, former Norwegian bishop of Oslo.

12.00 – 13.00 Lunch
Participants are invited to visit the exhibition based on the city of Kristiansand’s Wergeland project for children. In Amalie Skram, 1st floor.


SESSION 2 Freedom of thought and expression
“Can Goodness, Greatness, Beauty thrive in fetters bound?” – Henrik Wergeland

The struggle for freedom of the press and freedom of expression was a central issue for Henrik Wergeland throughout his life. The new Norwegian constitution of 1814 had established that ”Freedom of the press was to be secured”, but Wergeland would not content himself with this. Throughout his short life he worked for the common man’s opportunity to use this right by means of enlightenment of the people, that is public education and public libraries. We have invited authors, journalists and popular educators from the Middle East to discuss the freedom of speech and the significance of public debate – and the impact of literature on today’s society.

13.00 – 13.30 Speech by Hoda Barakat 

13.30 – 15.30 Panel
Is freedom of expression and freedom of the press an essential condition for a peaceful development? What part may society play in the intercultural understanding in the Middle East? And what part can the author play on the public scene? 

Panel: Rana Husseini, Heba Raouf Ezzat, Amira Hass
Moderator: Elisabeth Eide


SESSION 3 Diaspora Experience
“Freedom must be welcoming 
It must bring 
In its heart love’s bright fire” – Henrik Wergeland

Being a refugee or being without a homeland has been a harsh experience for millions of people during the last two centuries – and still is. In his time Henrik Wergeland was heavily involved in the struggle for homeless Jews’ admittance to Norway. Today, Norway like most other European countries is characterized by a multicultural and multiethnic population. The establishment of a multicultural national and European identity is as difficult today as it was 200 years ago. While Jews from all over the world now have got a homeland in Israel, the refugee camps, and state- and homelessness are permanent problems in the other parts of the Middle East. War, dejection, aggression and occupation make the diaspora experience a constant factor. In this session we will discuss in what respect this experience is a hallmark of the Middle East today and how to make a new sense of belonging for the minorities in Europe.

16.00 – 16.30 Speech by Mustafa Can 

16.30 – 18.30 Parallel sessions 
(Including break)

A. Minorities in Europe
How does it feel to be an ethnic or religious minority 200 years after Wergeland? Is it possible to establish a European Muslim identity without simultaneously arousing a conflict of cultures? 
Panel: Tariq Ramadan, Mustafa Ceric, Ziba Mir-Hosseini and Asmaa Abdol-Hamid
Moderator: Kari Vogt

B. The idea of a homeland
It has been said that the problems in the Middle East cannot be solved unless the Palestinian refugee problems finds a solution. But is that enough? What framework is there in a country where a refugee can never feel completely at home? And is it a certain fact that any country is able to offer an identity that one can feel at ease with?
Panel: Dorit Rabinyan, Samir el-Youssef, Sinan Antoon, Mustafa Can
Moderator: Mah-Rukh Ali


FRIDAY JUNE 6th

SESSION 4 The Nation
“Love of one’s country is mother of the great virtues.” – Henrik Wergeland

Henrik Wergeland’s name is inseparably connected with the development of an independent Norwegian state and nation. As a poet, debater and a committed member of society he worked for Norway’s and all other nations’ right for independence. He regarded the Nation as an essential premise for Man to act according to the liberal and democratic ideas that he maintained. In great parts of the world this issue is as hot as ever it was for Wergeland and Norway. On this conference we will discuss life within and without a nation from two widely different starting points, on both a superior political level and based on the sense of security people experience in their everyday life.

09.00 – 09.30 Speech by Tariq Ali 

09.30 – 12.00 Parallel sessions 
(Including break)

A. Security in everyday life
What does security on a micro level signify for political processes on a macro level? Is it possible to understand one another’s insecurity? Can literary depictions of reality seen from another group’s viewpoint constitute a difference in one group’s attitude and fear of another group?
Panel: Rana Husseini, Mazen Kerbaj, Ghassan Zaqtan and Dorit Rabinyan
Moderator: Nils Butenschøn

B. The necessity for a national state: Israel, Palestine, Iraq
Does a people really need a state, and can many peoples share the same state? lived without a state for a long time, the Palestinians and the Kurds today share the common experience of being without a nation state and Iraq is a disintegrating state. What does it mean to have a state of one’s own in the Middle East today?
Panel: Amira Hass, Tariq Ali and Sinan Antoon
Moderator: Cecilie Hellestveit

12.00 – 13.00 Lunch
Participants are invited to visit the exhibition based on the city of Kristiansand’s Wergeland project for children. In Amalie Skram, 1st floor.

SESSION 5 Tolerance and compassion
“Tolerance is the unyielding principle in our love of humanity.” – Henrik Wergeland

The House of Literature and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs have decided to focus on the spirit of Henrik Wergeland in this celebration of the poet’s bicentenary. An uncompromising focus on compassion and tolerance in religion, politics and literature ran like a thread through his 37 years of life. Wergeland was willing to fight many a hard battle against those who impeded these principles, but held on to a fundamental respect for all who did not share his view on life or his political attitude. Finally in this conference we will discuss what is needed to make a stable Middle East and a world where a peaceful coexistence is obtainable – not to erase the differences between people, but on the contrary to find a solution where the differences can be met with respect and human compassion.

13.00 – 13.30 Artistic performance by Mazen Kerbaj 

13.30 – 14.00 Speech by Elias Khoury 

14.00 – 16.15 Panel
What is needed in order to reconcile the peoples of the Middle East today. Is a global reconciliation called for? What are the conditions for tolerance?
Panel: Elias Khoury, Samir el-Youssef and Amira Hass
Moderator: Anders Heger

16.15 – 16.30 About reconciliation
Speech by Thorvald Steen


NB! Dette er et foreløpig program. Endringer kan forekomme. Nye versjoner av program publiseres fortløpende.

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