RESPONDS TO THE AUTHORS ‘ASSOCIATION: Author Roy Jacobsen responds that the Writers’ Association supports the appeal to Norwegian Dance Artists. Photo: Lien, Kyrre
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Roy Jacobsen resigns from the Writers’ Association (DnF) due to the appeal in connection with the Freedom of Expression Commission.
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– It is the support for this appeal that made me react. I value freedom of speech. The art field cannot protect itself from criticism, harassment or ridicule, says author Roy Jacobsen.
At the end of June, the Freedom of Expression Commission invited the man behind the controversial Facebook profile The Waste Ombudsman to the commission’s input meeting for artists.
It was met with harsh criticism.
Among those who responded was Commissioner Begard Reza, who chose to withdraw in protest against the Waste Ombudsman’s participation in the input meeting.
– Must be an open and free debate
The Norwegian Dance Artists’ Association was also strongly opposed to the Waste Ombudsman’s participation. They therefore wrote a letter of input to the Freedom of Expression Commission and the Ministry of Culture, in which the association expressed concern about the commission’s work.
15 artists ‘organizations supported the appeal, including the Norwegian Writers’ Association.
And this is what Roy Jacobsen is now distancing himself from.
– I am a supporter of a state that is generous in the field of culture, but the prerequisite is that there must be an open and free debate.
– The appeal tries to place restrictions on the free debate. I can not be a member of an association that supports the message of protecting artists from criticism and harassment.
VG has tried to get in touch with the leader of DnF, but has so far not succeeded.
—-DISPOSES: Roy Jacobsen believes that the Norwegian Writers’ Association should have failed to sign the petition. Photo: Janne Møller-Hansen
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– Not with a light heart
He believes that DnF should have failed to sign the petition and emphasized the importance of active use of freedom of expression.
That is why he has now resigned. He emphasizes that the choice was far from easy.
– I do not do this with a light heart. I have greatly enjoyed the Writers’ Association, says Jacobsen who has been a member for 36 years.
He has not talked to other writers about whether they intend to do the same.
DnF was established in 1893, and works to promote Norwegian literature and safeguard the interests of Norwegian authors. Karl Ove Knausgård, Tom Egeland and Nina Lykke are among the members.
Jacobsen is one of Norway’s foremost authors. He made his debut with the short story collection “Fangeliv” in 1982.
Since then, he has written a number of critically acclaimed books. Among other things, he was the first Norwegian to be nominated for the prestigious award The Man Booker International Prize for the book “The Invisible” in 2017.
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