Leipzig shows the flag: Solidarity evening for Boualem Sansal

Leipzig shows the flag: Solidarity evening for Boualem Sansal

An impressive evening of solidarity for the French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal was held in Leipzig on Tuesday. The event, which had the motto “Freedom for Boualem Sansal”, took place in the ballroom of the Old Town Hall and was organized by both the University of Leipzig and the Literaturhaus. Numerous prominent faces from culture and politics came together to protest against the unjustified imprisonment of Sansal. Well-known personalities such as Leipzig's mayor Burkhard Jung and the vice-president of the PEN, Najem Wali, found clear words on this topic. Wali emphasized the political background of Sansal's arrest and emphasized the importance of the role of writers in a free society.

The background: Boualem Sansal was arrested in Algeria in November 2024 for “attacking the unity of the state” and received a five-year prison sentence, which has now been confirmed by an appeal court in Algiers. Although prosecutors originally asked for ten years, the sentence is relatively light, which some interpret as a hopeful sign. Sansal receives support not only from writers and artists, but also from the general public: A petition for his release, launched by the “Leipzig Initiative”, has already collected almost 27,000 signatures from all over Europe, North Africa, North and South America and Asia.

An evening of solidarity

Sansal's creative work was honored at the event. Regina Keil-Sagawe, his German translator, spoke about his narrative richness, while Martina Hefter and Jan Kuhlbrodt read passages from his essay “Postlagerd. Algiers”. Prominent voices such as Daniel Kehlmann expressed themselves in video messages and reminded that “as long as one of us is in prison, none of us is free”. Film director Volker Schlöndorff and other well-known colleagues joined the calls for solidarity and underlined the importance of freedom of expression.

Amid concerns about the health of Sansal, who is suffering from cancer, there is also hope. Thorsten Ahrend, director of the Literaturhaus Leipzig, is hoping for a pardon from the Algerian president, especially since July 5th, Algeria's national holiday, traditionally offers occasions for pardons.

A memorial for freedom of expression

As Karin Schmidt-Friderichs, chairwoman of the German Book Trade Association, emphasizes, Sansal's prison sentence is an “unacceptable attack on freedom of expression.” At a time when many in the cultural scene are fighting for the rights of writers and intellectuals, Sansal's case is particularly serious. He is considered one of the most important contemporary writers and received the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade in 2011 for his tireless advocacy of human rights.

The evening was not only a sign of solidarity, but also an expression of resistance against oppression. Writers like Hamid Skif, who himself fled Algeria, remind us how important it is to represent one's own truth and to stand up for freedom of speech. Skif, who settled in Germany, experienced the censorship and oppression in his homeland first hand and leaves no doubt that the road to democracy and justice in Algeria is still long.

With every event and every show of support, the voices for freedom grow louder. We hope that Boualem Sansal will be released soon so that he can write and think freely again.

For more information see the articles from MDR, Börsenblatt and Deutschlandfunk culture.