Press release: 4.3.2015

Events and exhibitions in the German National Library in Leipzig during the Leipzig Book Fair 2015

The German National Library shall once again have its own stand in hall 5 (E 514) at the Leipzig book fair this year. As part of “Leipzig liest” a number of readings and special guided tours shall be taking place in the German National Library on Deutscher Platz. “Kafka im Künstlerbuch” (Kafka art book) is a new exhibition in the German Museum of Books and Writing.

Hans Joachim Schädlich: “Narrenleben” // Reading and Discussion

German National Library in Leipzig // Thursday, 12 March 2015, 18:00

As before with Friedrich II and Voltaire, Schädlich brings two historical figures to life in the context of their time. He tells the story of two jesters – a wealthy electoral, royal conjuror and court jester to Augustus the Strong, and a poor, cheerful but naive jester, who moves from court to court. Hans Joachim Schädlich has received numerous awards for his work, most recently the Federal Cross of Merit, in 2014. In cooperation with Rowohlt Verlag publishing house, as part of "Leipzig liest”
Free admission, Doors open at 17:30

“Quelle lebender Bücher” // 75 Jahre Bibliothek der Israelitischen Cultusgemeinde Zürich (75 Years of the Library of the Jewish Community of Zurich)

German National Library in Leipzig // Thursday, 12 March 2015, 19:00

A staged reading with the editor and library director, Dr. Yvonne Domhardt, publisher Judith Luks, publicist Michael Guggenheimer, as well as other authors of the anniversary publication. The Library of the Jewish Community is the most significant library of its kind and scope in the German-speaking world, with a holding of around 60,000 media. In cooperation with Bibliothek der Israelitischen Cultusgemeinde Zürich, as part of “Leipzig liest”
Free admission

Lizzie Doron: “Who the Fuck Is Kafka? Hass ist ein Gefühl, aber Frieden ist eine Entscheidung” // Moderation and Reading in German by Mirjam Pressler

German National Library in Leipzig // Friday, 13 March 2015, 19:00

It is an eventful friendship right from the start that develops between Israeli writer Lizzie Doron and Palestinian journalist Nadim. The face-off between two cultures and ways of life is accompanied by prejudices and misunderstanding. The author shall present this autobiographical novel in a discussion with her translator Mirjam Pressler. In cooperation with Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag publishing house, as part of “Leipzig liest"
Free admission, Doors open at 18:30

Stephan Thome: “Gegenspiel” // Reading and Discussion

German National Library in Leipzig // Friday, 13 March 2015, 20:00

Lisbon after the Carnation Revolution, the squatting scene in West Berlin, the German province before and after German reunification: Stephan Thome retells a well known story from “Fliehkräfte” in a completely different way, in fascinating and gripping scenes. Gegenspiel is a moving and sometimes disturbing novel about deception and self-delusion, about awakening and responsibility - including taking responsibility for one's own life. The event shall be moderated by editor Doris Plöschberger.In cooperation with Suhrkamp Verlag publishing house as part of the “Leipzig liest" festival of literature
Admission: €4 / €3 (reduced rate), Book your tickets online at veranstaltungen@dnb.de or call +49 (0)341 2271-216, or contact the box office,
Doors open at 19:30

Meir Shalev: “Zwei Bärinnen” // Reading and Discussion // Moderation and Reading in German: Shelly Kupferberg

German National Library in Leipzig // Saturday, 14 March 2015, 19:00

The protagonist of the latest novel from Israeli author Meir Shalev is teacher Ruth Tavori. She reveals the harrowing story of her family's life in a small village in the north of Israel and tells of an unpunished murder that took place over 70 years ago, and the resulting spiral of violence and revenge that has ensnared the men in her family. Shalevs work has been translated into more than 20 languages and has won multiple awards, including the Brenner Prize, in 2006, the most prestigious literary award in Israel. In cooperation with Diogenes Verlag publishing house, as part of “Leipzig liest”
Admission: €4 / €3 (reduced rate), Book your tickets online at veranstaltungen@dnb.de or call +49 (0)341 2271-216, or contact the box office,
Doors open at 18:30

“Kafka im Künstlerbuch" (Kafka art book)

Exhibition of the German Museum of Books and Writing at the German National Library in Leipzig // 11 March to 6 September 2015

Little known during his lifetime and on the list of “undesirable" authors after 1933 in Germany, the work of Franz Kafka (1883-1924) only came to world fame after the Second World War. The texts of the great, German-speaking author are still as current today as they were then, and have been interpreted many times in literature and visual art.

The gallery exhibition is devoted to book designers, illustrators and typographers, who have grappled with the cryptic and whimsical texts of the Prague author in art books, drawings, comic strips and written creations. The focus is on the seven works of Kafka, which he, himself, approved for publication: “Das Urteil” (The Judgement), “Der Heizer” (The Stoker), “Die Verwandlung” (The Metamorphosis), “In der Strafkolonie” (In the Penal Colony), “Ein Hungerkünstler” (A Hunger Artist) “Betrachtung” (Contemplation), “Ein Landarzt” (A Country Doctor).

The show is also a reminder of Kafka's successful visit to Leipzig on 29 June 1912, when he met publishers Ernst Rowohlt and Kurt Wolff for the first time.

Opening

on 10 March 2015 at 19:30, German Museum of Books and Writing at the German National Library

Contact person
Annett Koschnick