Opening of the 2nd Graal-Müritz International Literature Festival featuring Boualem Sansal and music by Simone von Rahden and Endri Nini
In his opening address at the festival, Boualem Sansal focused in particular on the recent past in his own life. The member of the Académie française, who was awarded the 2011 Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, among other honors, was arrested in November 2024 upon his arrival at the Algiers airport and was released a year later only after international protests and an intervention by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
The reason for his arrest at the time was his statements regarding the Western Sahara conflict and the border with Morocco.
Introduction: Iris Radisch
Opening Remarks:
Beate Lack
Head of the School Administration and Cultural Affairs Office of the Rostock District
Dörthe Hausmann
Managing Director, Tourismus- und Kur GmbH Graal-Müritz
Ulrich Schreiber
Festival Director
Music:
From the Sonata for Viola and Piano by Rebecca Clarke [1886–1979]
Simone von Rahden – viola
Endri Nini – piano
