THEME 2010

The Norwegian Festival of Literature will have "Breakaway" in literature as our main theme in 2010.

To break away can be both beautiful and painful. It can make us free and independent, but it can also leave us in utter loneliness and isolation.

In classic literature we are familiar with Henrik Ibsen and his play "Dollhouse", where Nora leaves Helmer and breaks with the expectations of society. James Joyce liberated himself from literary conventions and wrote "Ulysses", one of the most important works in modern literature.

Throughout the world, literature and language is vitally important concerning secession, breakaway and building an identity. Who have the right to break away, and who doesn't? Is breaking away always constructive? How are contemporary authors and contemporary literature important in constructing or changing the identity of a nation? To break away means to become attached to something else, no one stands alone. In literature it can intend to shape society and history, to shape new alliances and connections.