Seminar program
Conversation with Marcel Khalife + Palestinian Poetry Cellar
- Litteraturhuset
- Starts at 18:00: Palestinsk poesikjeller 19.30: Samtale med Marcel Khalife
- Price: Gratis!
The evening before the opening concert, we invite you to a conversation with Marcel Khalife and a Palestinian Poetry Cellar event, in collaboration with Litteraturhuset.
October 26 18.00 – Palestinian Poetry Cellar
Welcome to Poetry Cellar at the House of Literature, where this time we fill the cellar with Palestinian poetry. Authors Wesam Almadani and Somaya el Sousi will read their poetry, while Kristin Berget will read from her newly published Norwegian translation of Nima Hasan. Before the readings, each of the authors will be introduced by poet and translator Bendik Vada.
Somaya el Sousi is a Palestinian poet from Gaza, based in Norway. Since her debut in 1998, she has published six poetry collections in Arabic. Several of her poems are available in Swedish in the selected works En flöjt av mörker, as well as in Norwegian in the anthology Tunga mi protesterer mot døden. This evening, Somaya will read from the anthology as well as some newly written texts.
Kristin Berget is a Norwegian poet who has translated the work of Nima Hasan into Norwegian. Hasan is a Palestinian writer born and raised in the Gaza Strip, who now lives in a tent camp in Deir al-Balah with her seven children. Since autumn 2023, Hasan has published poems on social media, written from the ground during the Israeli invasion. These have been collected in the publication Den siste sommerfuglen, from which Berget will read.
Wesam Almadani is a Palestinian poet and activist, born in Sudan. They grew up in Egypt and Gaza and are now based in Norway. Almadani has published one novel and two poetry collections and has participated in six literary collaborative projects. Their work has been translated into several languages. This evening, they will read a selection from different parts of their body of work, including poetry published in the anthology Tunga mi protesterer mot døden.
The readings will be in Norwegian and Arabic.
October 26 18.00 – Palestinian Poetry Cellar
For world-renowned musician Marcel Khalife, art and politics have been intertwined from the very beginning. Lebanon’s answer to Lillebjørn Nilsen gave his first concerts in bombed-out venues during the country’s civil war in the 1970s and became an early supporter of the Palestinian cause. While his friend and collaborator Mahmoud Darwish wrote the Palestinian Declaration of Independence in 1988, Khalife composed “Nashid al-Intifada” – the anthem of the Intifada – during the First Intifada in 1989. Khalife’s many interpretations of Darwish’s poetry have provided a comforting soundtrack for the Palestinian people through decades of conflict and suffering.
In the Arab world, Khalife is regarded not only as a musician, but as a folk hero. For his interpretation of Darwish’s poem “O My Father, I Am Joseph”, which draws on the story found in both the Quran and the Old Testament, Khalife was charged with blasphemy on three separate occasions. He was ultimately acquitted and has since been a vocal advocate for freedom of expression and the right to speak freely.
As an artist, Khalife has been an innovator of Arab musical traditions, fearlessly combining traditional and modern forms of expression. He is a composer, songwriter and singer, as well as a virtuoso of the oud, the string instrument whose role and possibilities he has played a central part in redefining.
At the House of Literature, Khalife will meet Wesam Almadani. An activist and poet, Almadani came to Norway as a Palestinian refugee and grew up with Khalife’s music. They will discuss its significance, as well as Khalife’s lifelong commitment to Palestine.
The conversation will be held in English.
