Indifference is the fuel of autocracy. What role does literature have in creating a culture of care? During the European Literature Night we examine the political potential of literature.
‘Art can serve many purposes and take on many forms. But one of the key characteristics of a work of art is that it stimulates the mind and the heart’ – writes Alicja Gescinska in her essay Empathy against Indifference: On Totalitarianism and Art as a Moral and Political Force. During the European Literature Night we examine the political potential of literature. Can we improve ourselves in the act of caring through caring art?
About The European Literature Night
The European Literature Night is organized by De Balie and EUNIC Netherlands, the network of European national institutes of culture and national bodies engaged in cultural activities. This year the Goethe Institut, the British Council, the Institut français, Polish Culture NL, the Embassy of Ukraine, the Embassy of Greece, the Embassy of Estonia, and Vlaams Cultuurhuis De Brakke Grond contribute to the event.
Yousra Benfquih
De Brakke Grond has invited Yousra Benfquih. She is a writer, poet, and spoken word artist. Since winning the txt-on-stage competition Naft voor Woord in 2017, she has become a prominent voice on the Flemish performance scene. Her work has been featured in Kluger Hans, DW B, Poëziekrant, De Revisor, and De Gids. In 2019, she was shortlisted for the Joost Zwagerman Essay Prize. She was selected for the Slow Writing Lab in 2021 and Vers van het Mes in 2022. In 2023–2024, she took part in Eenzame Avonturen.
Yousra is a regular contributor to Rekto:verso and teaches Spoken Word in the Writing for Performance program at LUCA School of Arts.
Location: Kleine-Gartmanplantsoen 10, 1017 RR Amsterdam
