The Power of Fiction: A Literary Salon on Decolonisation

Please join us to mark Black History Month with the Department of English and Related Literature’s Decolonizing Network.

In this inaugural launch event we will consider and celebrate the power of fiction to decolonise. What role does fiction (in all languages from all literary periods) play in the move to decolonise the discipline of English literature, but also decolonise the institution of the university more generally? How do authors rewrite and undo systems of knowing? How does fiction negotiate spaces of political activism, and spur us, as readers, into action? What is it about fiction that is so affective, and effective, in decolonising? And how can we translate our appreciation and engagement of these literary texts into tangible and radical efforts to decolonise our department, the university and our wider communities?

Short talks will then be followed by general discussion. We also invite audience members to bring along your favourite works by writers of colour to celebrate!