May at the Lettrétage is all about dealing with the pressing issues of our time – from personal resilience to fundamental social and political challenges. Between literature, music, performance and discussion, a diverse spectrum of artists from different backgrounds and genres will be represented. The focus will always be on the question of how we can deal with the fears and uncertainties of the present without allowing them to paralyze us. You can look forward to inspiring talks, profound readings and the opportunity to exchange ideas with other writers and artists.
On Wednesday, May 7 at 7 p.m., the Berlin literary and art magazine SAND will celebrate the publication of its 28th issue. We are looking forward to numerous promising performances by Celina Baljeet Basra, Victoria Brooks, Lia Robert Horne, Óscar Perdomo, Bradley Schmidt, Katharine Tyndall, Natasha Warder and Beina Xu. The evening also offers the opportunity to network and exchange ideas with (other) writers, readers and editors from Berlin’s international literary community.
On Friday, May 9th at 8:00 p.m. we are looking forward to the Berlin launch of “Elegy, Southwest” – the much-anticipated second novel by Madeleine Watts. In it, Eloise and Lewis, a newlywed couple, head for the American Southwest; on a journey into the unknown, into profound struggles and the search for home. Together with critic and essayist Alexander Wells, Watts will read from her new novel, open the room for discussion and round off the evening with a Q&A and book signing.
And once again, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate: on Tuesday, May 13 at 8 p.m., we will be celebrating a glamorous anniversary with the DEAD LADIES SHOW: 10 years of inspiring stories of extraordinary women. In this English-language edition, three fascinating portraits await us – from royal rebellion to Hollywood icons and indigenous leaders. Hosts Katy Derbyshire and Florian Duijsens and podcast producer Susan Stone will guide us through the evening. And if you turn up dressed as a “Dead Lady”, you get in free!
Between Thursday, May 15 and Saturday, May 17, the Lettrétage is delighted to be hosting the ninth Industry Meetup: Literature. This year, the event is dedicated to the topic of fear – be it the fear of political and economic uncertainties or the threat posed by technological developments such as AI. The industry meetup offers a rich program of workshops, lectures and discussion panels, which will be held in both German and English. The aim is to find ways in which writers and the industry as a whole can deal productively with fears without allowing them to paralyze them. The event is aimed at freelance authors, translators, editors and literary organizers.
We are looking forward to another book premiere in May: On Tuesday, May 21 at 8:00 p.m., British author Gabriel Flynn will celebrate the launch of his debut novel “Poor Ghost!” in Berlin. Together with Australian critic and essayist Alexander Wells, he will talk about writing, debuting and the genesis of the novel. The evening will be rounded off with a discussion and Q&A session.
A more than appropriate end to the month: on Saturday, May 31 at 7 p.m., weRstories invites you to a reading and discussion with Mexican author J. A. Menéndez-Conde about his latest work “El Último Montano”. In this unconventional novel, reality and fiction become blurred as the protagonist Nacho is torn between his diaries, a video game and a dark secret. Moderated by Andrea Betti, the conversation will offer fascinating insights into Menéndez-Conde’s humorous yet profound exploration of resilience and pain. The event will be held in Spanish.