Fay Weldon at the House of Literature. Photo: Ola Sæther.
– Don’t fiddle with what is passed – but start afresh!
19 October 2009
André Brink, writer and active opponent to the apartheid regime in South Africa, spoke about the situation in his homeland. In the new South Africa, the press has seized the opportunity to capture a liberal position in society.
Brink talked – with reference to Albert Camus – about the “freedom to say no” to anything threatening the free expression of our freedom. The human freedoms is vested in the respect for the individual.
– Authors’ rights and publishers’ rights are gaining momentum. These were the words of William Nygaard, publisher and president of Aschehoug Publishing House. He underlined the moral obligation to defend these basic rights and warned against the crime of illegal file sharing.
– Without copyright, there will be no economic cycle as a framework to professional dialogue. Copyright is the prerequisite for all art forms and the basis for a knowledge economy.
British author Fay Weldon stated that she believed in the power of the writer, and she warned against self censorship: the lowering of standards to make a living. She noted a general pressure on writers, where free comment becomes marketing material.
Commenting on the challenge writers face in change from analogue to digital literature, Weldon articulated in a characteristic style that has made her an icon:
- Don’t fiddle with what is passed – but start afresh!
News
Monday Kopinor hosted an international seminar titled Human Rights, Authors’ Rights and Publishers’ Rights. The seminar was chaired by Prof. Helge Rønning, who is also chair of the Kopinor Board.
The detailed program for the Regional seminar and Digital Issues Forum on Wednesday is now published. The title of the conference is: Providing Access to Content in a Changing Environment.
For delegates who are staying Friday in Oslo, we have a special offer. Kopinor has reserved tickets to the dance performance When Clarity Visits in the Opera house. This World premiere is a part of the Oslo International Dance Festival.
On Monday, 19 October, Kopinor will host an international seminar in Oslo. The seminar will be held at The House of Literature, Oslo's vibrant and exciting meeting place for culture and debate.
- IFRRO celebrates its 25 years anniversary this year. The event will also mark the AGM 2009 among other things with a special session dedicated to IFRRO, its history and future perspectives of enabling access.
With these words, the President of IFRRO, Magdalena Vinent, and Olav Stokkmo, Chief Executive, invites the IFRRO community to the AGM in Oslo.
- It is with great pleasure I wish you welcome to IFRRO’s Annual General Meeting in October. These are the words of Yngve Slettholm, the Executive Director of Kopinor, as the official AGM website is launched.
President of IFRRO, Magdalena Vinent, and Olav Stokkmo, Chief Executive, have issued a preliminary announcement inviting the IFRRO community to the 38th General Meeting of IFRRO.
