Between anger and
forgiveness
Can we ever overcome painful societal injustices from the past? Is there a way towards reconciliation? Together with the world-famous South-African poet Antjie Krog and top lawyer Gerard Spong we explore the boundaries between anger, revenge and reconciliation.
Through her socially engaged poetry, Antjie Krog grasps the anger that dominates her country like no other. Especially for Sign of the Times Antjie Krog writes a story about anger, guilt, revenge and forgiveness in contemporary South-Africa. Together with Antjie Krog and Gerard Spong, we shift the focus from South Africa to contemporary Dutch society. How do we deal with the colonial heritage ourselves? An evening with poetry, theatre and a conversation between two critical thinkers.
Antjie Krog is one of the most important writers of South-Africa. Her work has been awarded with many prizes. Besides poetry, she writes theatre and non-fiction. During the ‘90s she wrote personal reports of the testimonials of the Truth- and Reconciliation Commission in South-Africa.
Gerard Spong, born and partly raised in Suriname, is one of the most famous lawyers of the Netherlands. He plead in controversial cases and defended among others the opponents of Desi Bouterse and the member of the Rote Armee Fraktion.
Sign of the Times
During Sign of the Times International Theatre Amsterdam and De Balie explore the most important issues of today’s society. As part of this special series we invited guests such as the ex-president of Catalonia Carles Puigdemont, the French writer Kamel Daoud and politicians Femke Halsema and Thierry Baudet. With Sign of the Times we open up the debate, bring various groups together and create a space for various perspectives.
Speakers
