PEN World Congress Moscow 2000 - Gunter Grass

PEN, the international writers organization with 15,000 members in 130 centers worldwide, was banned in the former Soviet Union. In 2000 it was finally able to hold its World Congress in Moscow. Highlights include Nobel Prizewinner Gunter Grass' opening address, and an interview with Alexandre Nikitin, former Russian Navy Nuclear expert imprisoned for revealing the scuttling of 110 obsolete nuclear powered submarines in the barents Sea.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• PEN
• Writers
• Moscow
• Russia
• Gunter-Grass
• Chechnya
• Nikitin
• Pasco
• Nuclear
• Pollution
• Radioactivity
• Environmemt

[raljazz]

That aside, you have some very interesting documentaries.

[radicalfilms]

@raljazz The revelation of Grass's previously hidden Waffen SS membership engendered considerable discussion, especially in the German media. Adding that information to the PEN World Congress video indicated neither approval nor disapproval. Various comments and criticism can be found using the search term "Gunter Grass Waffen SS criticism."

[raljazz]

I don't think its 'fair' to underline/hightlight the fact that he served in an unpopular political party, at the age of 17..............that is sort of like 'pinning' someone to an unpopular movement..in any country.

It was 'popular' at the present time, and thats THAT!!

[radicalfilms]

@raljazz Assuming that you are referring to Gunter Grass, his participation in World War Two was not merely "served in an unpopular political party." Criticism is directed towards him because he reputedly concealed the fact of his service in the Waffen SS, which was also involved in the operation of the Nazi extermination program.

[raljazz]

@radicalfilms I understand what you are saying. If someone joins the KKK or any unpopular movement in their youth, are they destined to honor that, in their later years??