Gulabuddin Sukhanwar, (born 1982) is a writer, translator, researcher, and public speaker originally from Afghanistan. Nowadays, he lives in Norway where he works at the House of Literature in Trondheim, leading the Literature for Inclusion initiative[i]. This is a platform devoted to arts and literature aiming to promote cross-cultural understanding in Norway and the region.
Literature for inclusion annually hosts over 60 different events including literature festivals and public debates and is known as one of the most vibrant initiatives in Trondheim, being featured in many local and international academic journals.
Sukhanwar holds a diploma in philosophy from Nansen Academy Norway, (2015). He was also an academic guest at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology NTNU from 2016-17 where he studied English literature.[ii] He has a bachelor’s degree in cultural heritage studies. Currently, he is taking master in religion studies with NTNU.
Sukhanwar is a member of the academic advisory committee for literature at the Arts Council of Norway, which functions as an advisory body to the Government and public sector on cultural affairs and is the main department for implementing Norwegian cultural policy.[iii]
In spring 2019, the Falstad Centre initiated the project “Faces of Power – Art in the Commander’s Residence,” at which Sukhanwar was one of six writers and artists to discuss and propose artistic activities to promote education relating to human rights.[iv]
Gulabuddin is frequently invited to high schools, universities, and cultural institutions to present his work and ideas, which focus on migration, diversity, literature, and cultural heritage.[v]
[i] https://litteraturhusetitrondheim.no/litteratur-for-inkludering-5/
[ii] https://www.universitetsavisa.no/politikk/ntnu-kan-gjore-mye-mer-for-flyktningene/147805
[iii] https://www.kulturradet.no/norsk-kulturfond/vis-utvalg/-/om-kulturfond-utvalg-fagleg-utval-for-litteratur
[iv] https://falstadsenteret.no/en/experience-falstad/art-at-falstad