Spotlight: Syrien

Join us for an evening focusing on Syrian literature, at a time when Syria is seeking new paths following the fall of the Assad regime in 2024, and questions about freedom of expression, democracy and the future of the rule of law are at the forefront.

Taking literature as our starting point, we explore how democratic processes are shaped and what the conditions for freedom of expression are like in Syria today.

The evening takes as its starting point a newly published issue of the magazine PEN/Opp, which brings together Syrian voices writing beyond the simplifications of war, about freedom, memory, exile and the future. The issue was compiled by guest editor Raafat Hekmat, formerly a writer-in-residence in Stockholm and one of the founders of PEN Syrien.

Klas Grinell, ICORN’s national coordinator, leads a conversation with Raafat Hekmat and Aliaa Amina Ahmad about the work of the newly established PEN Syrien and Syrian literature. The discussion also draws on political developments following the fall of the Assad regime in 2024 and considers how the conditions for freedom of expression, democracy and civil society are developing in Syria today.

The programme also includes readings of newly translated Syrian poetry.

Syrian literature – beyond simplification

The PEN/Opp issue was produced in collaboration with PEN Syrien and presents eleven contemporary Syrian voices through poetry, short stories and essays. Written both in Syria and in exile, the texts explore questions of freedom, identity, memory, exile and belonging, offering literary perspectives on a Syria in transition.

PEN/Opp is Svenska PEN’s international magazine on literature, freedom of expression and social issues. The magazine highlights voices from different parts of the world and creates space for cross-border conversations about the conditions for freedom of expression.

Aliaa Amina Ahmad is a Syrian-German feminist writer and researcher based in Germany. She heads the women’s committee of PEN Syrien and contributes to the PEN/Opp issue with a text about women’s space in the public sphere in Syria.

Raafat Hekmat is a Syrian poet and writer based in Stockholm and a writer-in-residence with ICORN. He is the guest editor of the PEN/Opp issue Syrian literature – beyond simplification.

Klas Grinell is a writer and associate professor of the history of ideas, as well as ICORN’s national coordinator in Sweden.

The evening is a collaboration between ICORN, Medelhavsmuseet, PEN Syrien and Svenska PEN.

The programme is supported by Region Stockholm.