Is contemporary literature defined by the trauma plot? Do we seek for and expect narrative to revolve around the trauma of the main characters? And if so: what does this mean for contemporary writers? Do they feel confined by this expectation? Is there space for healing in such a context? And how does a trauma narrative relate to healing? Are some trauma related stories more marketable than others? Which traumas are the most visible? What is the process of writing fiction from traumatic experience?

This is a two part program to explore these questions. In the first part writers and artists are invited to read from their own work. In the second part they will join in a conversation to discuss the ethical, personal and stylistic dimensions of the trauma plot, and of course, the ways in which these dimensions influence each other.