Some time ago, the Norwegian playwright Erling Kittelsen’s, right, play ‘På himmelen’ (‘On the sky’) (2000) was staged in Amman, Jordan. The title, the production and the reception / interpretation all contributed to Kittelsen and his director Bani Hani being subjected to a fatwa. Kittelsen´s response was to write about it, in Jordan, and enter into dialogue with the islamists. He achieved to have the fatwa called off. (28-MAY-08)
Based on Norwegian PEN´s release, issued today, this article has been edited and prepared for publication here by HRH F / Niels Jacob Harbitz. Photo of Kittelsen: Lars O. Flydal, Vårt Land.
In conversation with Islam expert Kari Vogt, Kittelsen will explain the background for the fatwa and about his dialogue with Islamic leaders. The open dialogue takes place in Litteraturhuset (the literature house), (Nedjma, 2nd floor), Wergelandsveien 29, Oslo, on Monday 2 June at 19:00. Entrance is free. Norwegian PEN is hosting the meeting.
For further information, contact Norwegian PEN at
+47 22 60 74 50 / PEN@norskpen.no
