Launch of German, French, English and Indigenous languages
comics on reconciliation
The Goethe-Institut in Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto invite the public to discover to discover comics and illustrated stories in German, English, French and Indigenous languages produced by 10 Canadian and 10 German authors around a concept that evokes very different associations and emotions in the two countries: reconciliation. These comics are collected in a web dossier and are accessible free of charge on the Goethe-Institut Montreal website: goethe.de/Canada/reconciliation
This project aims to underline both the literary presence of Canada at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October 2020, as well as familiarize the Canadian public with artists from the German literary and comics scenes.
„What does reconciliation mean to you?“
A question of major historical importance for both our countries, to which we received, depending on context, history and personal experience, a host of varied responses. The question is complicated and each thoughtful response further enriched our own reflections on the subject.
In addition to the 20 comic contributions, there are also three introductions in the dossier, each dealing with a different angle:
-from Waubgeshig Rice, author and journalist from the Wasauksing First Nation, on the importance of recognition of the past and dialogue;
-from Lars von Törne, journalist for the Tagesspiegel, on the contribution that comic books can have when the time comes to reconcile with a difficult past;
-and from Michel Viau, comic book historian, on the two Canadian solitudes in the 9th art.
