Press Release
Freiburg, Germany – Freedom of speech and expression are recognised by many as primary human rights. However, when it comes to discussion on topics concerning Palestine, Israel and Germany we often face rigid and concrete boundaries that clearly suppress free and creative discourse. We somehow grasp what we are allowed to say but are also conscious of a variety of thoughts we better keep unsaid.
Yearning for humanism and willing to bring a change about, a conference in Freiburg, Germany (September 10-11, 2011) seeks to liberate the contemporary ideological, spiritual, cultural and political discourse. We will try to identify the mechanisms that stifle freedom of speech, with the hope that sometime soon, we will be able to say what we think and to mean what we say.
The conference ‘Palestine, Israel and Germany – Boundaries of Open Discussion’ will elaborate on some ‘contentious’ topics such as suppression of truth, history, narration, mainstream-media complicity and media coverage, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism vs. criticism of Israel and responsability. We will also try to show practical solutions for Palestinian self-determination.
Issues to do with boundaries of discourse will be located as key elements in a long overdue consciousness shift.
Don´t miss the opportunity to listen and to discuss on these issues with some of the most creative writers and commentators!
Gilad Atzmon: History, Truth and Integrity
Ramzy Baroud: A Gaza Story: Challenging History through Narration
Ibrahim El-Zayat: Antisemitism and Islamophobia
Alan Hart: The Mainstream Media´s Complicity in Zionism’s Suppression of the Truth of History
Evelyn Hecht-Galinski: How much Criticism of Israel should it be?
Hajo G. Meyer: Germany’s Second Capital Sin
Ken O´Keefe: Boundaries of Discourse – Practical Solutions for Self-Determination in Palestine
Sabine Schiffer: Media Coverage of the Middle East
Exhibition of graphic arts Viqar Ali & David Borrington
10th September at 21:00 a concert by Moamen Khatib (oud), Gilad Atzmon (sax & clarinet) & Frank Harrison (piano). From 23:00 till late, Arabian night with DJs from Palestine.
Location: Jos Fritz Café
Wilhelmstr. 15/1
79098 Freiburg
www.josfritzcafe.de
11th September
10:00-20:00- talks & discussions
Location: Bürgerhaus Zähringen
Lameystr. 2
79108 Freiburg
Contact details and registration: cafepalestine@sin-nom.com
References:
1. http://paltagefreiburg2011.blogspot.com/
2. www.gilad.co.uk/writings/palestine-israel-germany-the-boundaries-of-open-discussion.html
3. http://paltagefreiburg2011.blogspot.com/
