Fine Gråbøl in India

Danish author Fine Gråbøl took part in the European literary festival Long Night of Literatures 2025 in Kolkata and Delhi. Gråbøl’s work challenges and expands our understanding of vulnerability, youth, and community. For example her debut novel “Ungeenheden”, portrays a group of young people receiving psychiatric care and their shared life in a residential facility in Copenhagen.

Through readings and conversations with Indian audiences, Gråbøl’s writing became a starting point for dialogue on vulnerability, youth, and mental illness – themes that resonated strongly with participants. She also met with students at Sanskrit College and University in Kolkata and Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi, where her work inspired discussions on art, mental health, and social conditions.

In addition, we hosted a literary salon at the residence of the Danish Ambassador in Delhi, bringing together Fine Gråbøl, Indian author Shubha Menon, and representatives of several Indian writers’ organisations. The discussion explored literary approaches to mental illness and creative writing for people living with mental health conditions.

Partners

EUNIC India, Goethe-Institut & Alliance française in Kolkata, Sahaayta v. Chitra Kalyani, Embassy of Denmark in India.