As Norway’s Ambassador to Indonesia, I was pleased to learn that Faiza Mardzoeki was translating the play “Time without books” to Indonesian. Like much of playwright Lene Therese Teigen’s work, the themes covered in “Time without books” resonate beyond traditional boundaries such as borders, cultures and languages. I know of Lene Therese not only as a playwright, but also as an accomplished author and theatre director. Internationally renowned, her plays have been performed at theatres across the world, from Melbourne to Montevideo.

I would like to commend Faiza Mardzoeki on her translation of the play and her initiative to perform play readings of, and host discussions about, “Time without books” throughout Indonesia. The parallels between Faiza and Lene Therese are striking; both are social activists who use theatre and culture as their medium to make an impact. Women’s rights and gender equality is often – but not always – a central theme of their work.

“Time without books” revolves around memories. While based on interviews with Uruguayans who lived under an authoritarian regime, the story is nevertheless universal. It depicts the transition from dictatorship to democracy; how do you tackle past trauma, both on a personal and a collective level? What do you leave behind and what do you pass on to the next generation?

All countries carry painful memories from the past. However, evolving and moving forward as a society requires us to reconcile with our past. Resolving conflicts, burying grudges and making amends are key to achieving peace and strengthening human rights across the world. This is why reconciliation efforts have long been a pillar in Norwegian foreign policy.

My hope is that this play will serve as a springboard for further discussion and inspire Indonesians to reflect on the role of the past in contemporary society.