Brave New Voices

Literature

18.08.-15.09.2024

Jahrhunderthalle Bochum

International voices of contemporary literature

Literature creates narratives and establishes places of refuge. Places that tell of utopias, dystopias or reflections on a world. It confronts us and asks questions. It has the potential to connect, provoke and open up new perspectives. In the Brave New Voices series, the Jahrhunderthalle Bochum becomes a poetic refuge in which authors of the new generation, such as Édouard Louis and Jeremy O. Harris, talk about the process of writing and contextualise social conditions based on their texts.

About Édouard Louis

© Christian Werner

Édouard Louis is a French writer known for his haunting works, which often interweave autobiographical elements with social issues. Born in 1992 in a working-class neighbourhood in the north of France, Louis has experienced first-hand the challenges and violence associated with poverty and discrimination.
His books, including The End of Eddy and In the Heart of Violence, offer unsparing insights into life on the margins of society. Louis writes in clear, uncompromising language that captures the raw emotions and brutality of his protagonists' real lives.
Through his literature, Louis not only aims to draw attention to social injustices, but also to make the voices and experiences of those who are often overlooked or marginalised heard. His writing is an act of empathy and resistance against the structures of oppression.
Louis' works have been recognised internationally and have been translated into several languages. He is recognised as a significant voice in contemporary French literature and an important representative of literary activism.
About Jeremy O. Harris

© Micaiah Carter

Jeremy O. Harris is an emerging African-American playwright and author known for his provocative and innovative works. Born in Virginia, USA, Harris has quickly gained attention for his talent in exploring themes of race, sexuality and power on stage.
His best-known work, the Broadway play Slave Play, has sparked controversy and received praise for its bold approach. In Slave Play, Harris makes the connections between past and present by exploring the dynamics of race and sexuality in a therapeutic setting.
Harris' writing is characterised by his ability to break taboos and ask uncomfortable questions of the audience. He often combines different theatrical styles and elements to create an immersive and provocative experience.
As an emerging voice in contemporary theatre, Harris is committed to pushing the boundaries of theatre and offering new perspectives on complex social issues.