The Parthenon of Books

Censorship through Blasphemy Laws

Authors

  • Tom Huisjes Utrecht University
  • Eline Reinhoud Utrecht University

Abstract

This article analyses Marta Minujín’s Parthenon of Books as it was realised during the Documenta 14 exhibition in Kassel, Germany (2017). Many of the books used to construct the Parthenon were banned by religious institutions, which raises the question of the role of blasphemy laws and blasphemy-related censorship in today’s Western democracies, as such laws limit the freedom of expression as laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). We analyse how Minujín’s artwork contributes to existing campaigns for the abolition of blasphemy laws, arguing that while its message is not limited to blasphemy-related censorship, its critical stance towards religious censorship is an undertone that cannot be denied.

Author Biographies

  • Tom Huisjes, Utrecht University

    Tom Huisjes (LLM) holds an MA in European Law (Utrecht University) and is currently pursuing an MA in Dutch Criminal Law (Utrecht University). Areas of interest include European and international criminal law and the religious neutrality of the state.

  • Eline Reinhoud, Utrecht University

    Eline Reinhoud holds a BA in English Language and Culture (Utrecht University) and is currently pursuing an MA (research) in Comparative Literary Studies (Utrecht University). Areas of interest include cultural memory, feminist (re)writings, and literary theory.

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Published

2026-05-04

Issue

Vol. 32 No. 1 (2019): Religion and Secularism

Section

Masterclass

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Huisjes, T., & Reinhoud, E. (2026). The Parthenon of Books: Censorship through Blasphemy Laws. FRAME, Journal of Literary Studies, 32(1), 85-97. https://platform.openjournals.nl/FRAME/article/view/27286