Deutsches Haus at New York University presents School of Silence - Herta Müller on her Poetic Origins apart from PEN World Festival, May 3rd, 2012 Part 1: Reading Born in rural Romania as part of the German-speaking minority, Nobel Prize laureate Herta Müller has recalled her childhood as a "school of silence," where the loss of words reflected an inadequacy of language itself. It also resulted from an oppressive dictatorial regime with both communist and nationalistic traits. Writing became a way to break the silence. Don't miss the rare opportunity to hear Müller speak about these themes. The talk is in German. Translation is available. In addition to the 1994 and 1997 publications of The Land of Green Plums and The Appointment, Metropolitan Books will publish Müller's most recent novel, entitled Atemschaukel (The Hunger Angel), in 2012. Co-sponsored by Deutsches Haus at NYU and the Goethe-Institut New York, with the generous support of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German Literary Society The Eighth Annual PEN World Voices of International Literature: April 30-May 6, 2012 100 writers from 25 nations convene to New York to celebrate the power of the written word in action. The program features performances, discussions, one-on-one conversations, and readings at venues crisscrossing the city, from Harlem to Wall Street, including the festival hubs -- The Standard, New York; The Standard, East Village; and the High Line. www.pen.org/festival Video ...