In our interconnected world, language acts as a vital bridge, uniting us all. Yet, beneath its surface lies a fascinating cultural phenomenon: language can either empower or hinder. Like a double-edged sword, it has the power to disrupt, breed misunderstanding, or perpetuate inequality that marginalizes minority groups, including the vibrant queer community. Simultaneously, words and language can be potent tools for promoting equality.”
The Goethe-Institut aims to stimulate discussion about gender and queer equality, creating platforms for queer creative practices. Acknowledging the interface between language and queer activism, we invite artists and rights advocates who use language and various creative methods to engage in the dialogue of queer rights and voices. Among these luminaries are German queer writers Nilufar and Jayrôme, who navigate the literary landscape constantly seeking fresh voices and unconventional expressions. Additionally, contemporary Vietnamese artist Nhung Dinh, who stretches beyond the mainstream, uncovering hidden histories and queer footprints in the bustling tapestry of Vietnamese life, will also share her interdisclipnary approach into queer practice.
The practices and stories presented offer insights into queer activism in both Germany and Vietnam. They provide potential avenues for advocating for marginalized queer voices in the arts and society. Furthermore, they suggest creative methods for building a dialogue on queer issues in an ever-changing world.
Nilufar Karkhiran Khozani born 1983 in Giessen/Germany, studied Comparative Literature and Psychology, and completed training as a cognitive-behavioural therapist. In 2020, "Romance Would Be a Very Fine Bonus Indeed", a work of sampled poetry, was published by Re:sonar. In the same year, she was artist in residence at PROSANOVA festival and translated the script "Town Bloody Hall" for the film "Als Susan Sontag im Publikum saß" (When Susan Sontag was sitting in the audience) by Rolf Peter Kahl into German. In 2023 her debut novel "Terafik" was published by Blessing. In the following year, her essay about the protests in Iran "In Schatten" gebannt was nominated for the Wortmeldungen Ulrike Crespo literary prize. She lives in Berlin.
Jayrôme Robinet born in France in 1977, is a writer, translator and spoken word performer. His German-language debut was published in 2015 and premiered as a one-person play at the Maxim Gorki Theatre. Most recently, "Mein Weg von einer weißen Frau zu einem jungen Mann mit Migrationshintergrund" (Hanser Berlin) was published. Robinet is doing a PhD in oral literature at the Berlin University of the Arts and took part in the Ingeborg Bachmann Prize 2023 at the invitation of Mithu Sanyal. He holds an M.A. in Biographical and Creative Writing from the Alice Salomon Hochschule Berlin and is a certified writing pedagogue. He is head of the PEN Berlin office.
Đinh Nhung began researching the lives of queer people in 2009 Vietnam. Despite her intensive efforts, the search yielded limited information and proved challenging, leading Nhung to pursue other activities. Nhung began to collect vocabulary, save what people shared, and gather information about cultural and artistic activities of individuals and organisations related to gender, LGBTIQ+ rights. The collection and collaboration with queer friends formed the basis for the birth of a number of exhibitions, two queer & sexuality lexicons named “Chỉ Bàn Lộn”, and the formation of an archive on queer and feminism at “A Queer Museum”.
Chu Thanh Hà serves as the Founder and Chairman of the Executive Board of IT’S T TIME, an organization in Vietnam led by transgender individuals. Hà is a dedicated transgender advocate and seasoned researcher with a decade of professional experience. His work focuses on advocating for the voices, visibility, and active participation of the transgender and gender-diverse community in Vietnam through various means such as policy advocacy, community mobilization, movement building, and public education efforts. Ha represents IT'S T TIME in multiple organizations and working groups, including C4TRANS (Coalition for Transgender Rights in Vietnam), and participates in various international forums. At the regional level, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, he conducts critical studies and research to address knowledge gaps concerning gender studies and transgender rights. Furthermore, Hà currently serves as the Trans Representative on the ILGA Asia Executive Board for the term 2022-2024. Additionally, he is a member of the international advisory boards of two prestigious organizations dedicated to supporting queer women and transgender individuals: Women's Fund Asia and Astrea Lesbian Foundation for Justice.
Details
Goethe-Institut Hanoi
56-58-60 Nguyen-Thai-Hoc-Str., Ba Dinh Hanoi Vietnam
Language: Vietnamese – English Price: Free registration to participate
