Literature and Politics

We had a lively discussion about the influence of international politics

on literature with friends tonight. The question that came up was whether

the political situation in a given country influences a joint effort of book

production with another country which has political and diplomatic

ties with the former? Although we were from different nationalities,

namely French, German-Canadian, Swiss, and Russian, we agreed that

the political situation of a certain country does, indeed, influence

the joint effort. What I find disturbing in this matter is that the

decision that obstructs the project is based on an ambiguous projection

of what the future might have in store rather than its transcendence

that can and should make such a project possible. I came to the conclusion

that a positive attitude, a consensus that transcends borders, and

the imagination that unites us despite our differences should allow us

to surpass our contingencies.