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14th Noorderlicht International Photofestival ACT OF FAITH On faith and conflict, ecstasy and excess. What is truth? Where lies the line between believing and knowing? Between liberation and dogma? Between uniting and dividing, between ecstasy and excess? That is what Act of Faith, the 14th Noorderlicht Photofestival, is about. In over 500 photographs 130 international photographers offer an overview of this veritable Babylonian confusion of voices and claims. Curious, astonished and indignant, they share their stories about the world around us. In 2007 this question is again surprisingly vital: is it also o.k. not to believe? Subsidiary exhibitions: in our own Noorderlicht Photogallery: Children of Abraham, the globe-spanning report on the role of religion in society, by the Magnum photographer Abbas. In the Center for Visual Arts: Material World, about religion without God. Satellite program: photography at forty locations in the city and province of Groningen. Noorderlicht organizes various activities through September-October: INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM > Curators meeting (theme: The Future of Photo Festivals) > Euroclasses on Documentary Photography: two master classes for photography students and recently graduated photographers from the Netherlands and Europe. Entries are still welcome! >>> For the complete program go to: www.noorderlicht.com RELIGION DEBATE September 29 The Saving Word; On the necessity or redundancy of religion in the 21st century. Noorderlicht has four prominent experts cross swords in a debate over the contemporary role of religion - and its necessity or redundancy BOOK PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC INTERVIEWS > Bas Heijne talks about his new book 'Onredelijkheid' with author and writer Coen Simon (September 21) > Photojournalist Lana Slezic talks about her experciences in Afghanistan with the editor in chief of Vrij Nederland Emile Fallaux. With presentation of her recently published photobook Forsaken (October 6) And more: > Photobook market with the renowned Markus Schaden and others > Art and Culture program for secondary schools > Guided tours > Documentaries and movies > Nostalgic Bus Ride to eight exhibitions in old churches along a beautiful rural route Soon online: All Act of Faith photographers will be presented with images and texts. A preview is now available online. www.noorderlicht.com In the media Now in stores: Exclusive report on Act of Faith in Vrij Nederland, Dutch quality magazine, with an essay by Marcel Möring. Free copies are available at the counter in the Aa-kerk (only in Dutch). Photo journal P|F pays special attention to Noorderlicht in its September issue, with an exceptional black and white photography portfolio from Act of Faith.