The American author, poet, playwright and essayist James Baldwin is known for his controversial themes around race and sexuality. To him racial concepts such as “white” and “black” are illusions, a construction used to justify an unjust order. The essay collection “Next Time the Fire” is considered one of world literature’s strongest confrontations with segregation and oppression. Despite being published more than 60 years ago, it still inspires young poets and writers. Two award-winning poets, Logan February from Nigeria and Johannes Anyuru from Sweden, meet here in a conversation about Baldwin’s relevance.
The moderator is Christina Kullberg, Professor of French at Uppsala University, who has also been interested in Baldwin’s thought in her research.
Date och time: Saturday March 29, 17.30
Place: Uppsala City Library
Language: English