The Politics of Voices

What are the effects of cultural and political restrictions on language, and how do freedom and language influence each another? Which positions arise between state institutionalisation and independent countermovements, or between literature and journalism? The participants in the panel discussion focus on a variety of genres within this spectrum.

with: Kyi May Kaung (Myanmar/USA)

Alongside her position in the democratic exile government of her country, the writer, political science expert and journalist writes poems and stage plays. In her most famous play "Shaman", she combines traditional Burmese literary motifs (“nats”, or spirits) with current topics like sexual abuse and multiple personalities.

Agus R. Sarjono (Indonesia)

As editor of the literary magazine Horison and programme director of the Jakarta Arts Council, Sarjono works primarily as a poet and playwright. He also writes essays and short stories. His poetry collection "Frische Knochen aus Banyuwangi" (Fresh Bones from Banyuwangi) published in 2002 made him famous in the German-speaking world.

José M. Tesoro (Philippines/US)

The journalist and political science expert participated in the revolution against Marcos when he was still practically a child. He worked for Asiaweek until 2000. He speaks Burmese, Vietnamese and Indonesian and reported from Jakarta on the fall of Suharto in 1998. He gained recognition as a non-fiction writer for "The Invisible Palace: The True Story of a Journalist’s Murder in Java".

Moderator: Martin Jankowski

Author of poetry, songs, short stories and novels, Jankowski has worked as an editor since 1990. In 2003 he was holding guest lectures about contemporary german literature at the Universitas Indonesia in Jakarta.

Within the framework of the Asia-Pacific Weeks, which are supported by the Stiftung Deutsche Klassenlotterie Berlin (DKLB).