Freedom to publish

This round-table discussion offers an overview of independent publishing in a few Asian countries (Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines and Singapore), focusing on each country’s work context. Among other things, the discussion covers the variety of publication languages and their different dynamics, the ongoing censorship faced by independent publishers and the ways to twist it.

Moderated by Ronny Agustinus (Marjin Kiri, Indonesia)

Streaming of the round table #5 “Freedom of publishing / fair speech” with Azadeh Parsapour (publisher, Nogaam, Iran/UK), Mohamed El Baaly (publisher, Sefsara Publishing, Egypt), Tomaz Adour (publisher, Vermelho Marinho, Brazil), Müge Gursoy Sokmen (publisher, Metis Publisher, Turkey), moderated by Antoinette Koleva (KX Critique and Humanism, Bulgaria).

Streaming of the round table #6 “Writing and publishing in minority languages” with Marie Michèle Razafintsalama (publisher, Jeunes Malgaches, Madagascar), Dante González (publisher, Pakarina Ediciones, Peru), Maria José Galvez (General Director of Books and Reading Promotion, Spanish Ministry of Culture), moderated by Garazi Arrula (publisher, Txalaparta, Navarra).

International Conference of Independent Publishers , Baluarte, Pamplona-Iruñea, November 25, 2021

Round-table discussion #3 “What to say and where to say it?” with Gisèle Sapiro (sociologist, France), Ronny Agustinus (publisher, Marjin Kiri, Indonesia), Ibrahima Aya (publisher, Éditions Tombouctou, Mali), moderated by Paulo Slachevsky (publisher, Lom Ediciones, Chile).

The logics of concentration in the publishing world and the domination of the commercial aspect of the book to the detriment of its cultural aspect are mixed with other conservative impulses that have an impact on the sector, such as cultural colonialism, patriarchy, the marginalisation of minorities and peripheral languages... Reflecting on these relations of power and domination, reinforcing the liberating and transforming character of books and words is the invitation of this second morning of the International Conference of Independent Publishers.

Round-table discussion #4 “Women in the publishing world” with Samar Haddad (publisher, Atlas Publishing, Syria), Barbora Baronová (publisher, wo-men, Czech Republic), Julia Ortiz (publisher, Criatura Editora, Uruguay), Djaïli Amadou Amal (author, Cameroon), and moderated by Ana Gallego Cuiñas (Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Granada, Spain).

While the publishing profession seems to be predominantly occupied by women in many countries –and although the situation is not identical in all cultural contexts and book markets– women remain under-represented in positions of responsibility within publishing houses, just as women authors are less recognised than men by literary prizes. Is this situation –this imbalance– which has been pointed out in Europe in particular, generalizable at the international level? What does being a woman in the publishing world mean in concrete terms? International independent publishing offers a diverse and varied panorama of the place and role accorded to women professionals in the sector. Whether they practice their profession in Syria, the Czech Republic, Cameroon or Canada, whether they are authors, publishers or feminist publishers, this round table will amplify the voices of women book professionals who contribute to shaping the international publishing landscape.

International Conference of Independent Publishers, Pamplona-Iruñea, November 24, 2021

In just this past month, three prominent Iranian writers, translators, and members of the Association of Iranian Writers, Bektash Abtin, Kayvan Bazhan, and Reza Khandan Mahabadi, and journalist and sociology researcher, Khosrow Sadeghi Boroujeni, have been sentenced to prison on charges of “propaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and gathering and collusion with the intent of acting against national security.”

These accusations, which have led to long prison sentences and the charges levied are false. Their objectives are to further oppress writers and the people of Iran.
At a time when the world is under crisis by the pandemic, Iran, and especially within its prisons has a very unstable environment, with the increasing spread of Coronavirus among inmates.

We as authors and scholars would like to ask you to let the voices of our fellow authors in prison be heard by the people of the world and to demand their immediate release.

• Daryoush Ashouri, Author, Translator and the Co-founder of the Association of Iranian Writers
• Ervand Abrahamian, Author and Professor Emeritus, City University of New York
• Azar Nafisi, Author
• Faraj Sarkohi, Writer, Journalist, Literature Critic; A Member of German Pen; The Recipient of Kurt-Tucholsky-prize; World Association of Newspapers’ Golden Pen of Freedom Award and World Press Freedom
• Hero by International Press Institute
• Akram Pedramnia, Author, Translator; A Member of Pen Canada; the Recipient of James Joyce Foundation Scholar
• Moniro Ravanipour, Author
• Mohsen Yalfani, Author and Translator
• Nasim Khaksar, Author and Critic
• Reza Allamehzadeh, Moviemaker and Writer
• Morad Farhadpour, Author, Translator and Critical Theorist
• Akbar Masoumbaigi, Author, Translator and a Member of the Association of Iranian Writers
• Babak Ahmadi, Author, Translator and Philosophy Researcher
• Peyman Vahabzadeh, Author and Professor, University of Victoria
• Sohrab Behdad, Denison University, USA
• Farshin Kazeminia, Pierre and Marie Curie University (Paris 6)
• Amir Kianpour, PhD Candidate, University of Paris 8 Vincennes-Saint-Denis
• Mehran Mostafavi, Sacly University (Paris), Professor
• Iman Ganji, PhD in Art Philosophy and Philosophy Researcher, Free University of Berlin
• Mehrdad Darvishpour, Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor, Sociologist, Mälardalen University
• Farhad Nomani, Professor Emeritus of Economics, The American University of Paris
• Soheil Asefi, Journalist and PhD student in History, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York (CUNY)
• Saeed Hariri, Moderator, Toronto Book Club
• Azadeh Parsapour, Translator, Editor and Publisher
• Arash Kia, Faculty of Institute for Healthcare Delivery Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York

STATEMENT
August 8, 2018

The International Alliance of Independent Publishers (IAIP), a network of 553 publishers worldwide, expresses its shock and dismay at the late-night abduction and detention of acclaimed photographer and human rights activist, Shahidul Alam, in Dhaka. Shahidul Alam has been a partner-colleague of the IAIP, in which context we have interacted with him on many occasions.

We believe that the charges against him under Section 57 of the ICT are an attempt to intimidate him by using a draconian law to stifle his right to free speech. He has been held without due legal process, and we have received disturbing reports of brutal treatment meted out to him in detention.

The right of peaceful protest, and the defence of that right, are fundamental to democracy and to upholding the rule of law. The IAIP extends its support to, and expresses solidarity with, Shahidul Alam, and reiterates its commitment to the freedom of expression in Bangladesh as well as in the rest of the world.

See here the film make by New Internationalist (UK) in support with Shahidul Alam.