AFRICAN BOOK FESTIVAL: THREE DAYS OF READINGS, TALKS AND PERFORMANCES — RECOMMENDED BY LARA SIELMANN

This weekend, culture enthusiasts in Berlin are in for an exceptional literary treat: the African Book Festival, which presents contemporary literature from the continent of Africa and the diaspora and is returning for its fourth year. Under the direction of South African writer, filmmaker and photographer Lidudumalingani, Alte Münze will open its doors this weekend (26-28.08.2022) for insights into literary worlds that hardly get any attention (few books by African authors get translated). This year’s motto is “Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow.”, which highlights the intergenerational connections between the writers.

The wide-ranging program features renowned writers such as Ghanaian author Margaret Busby, British-Congolese author J J Bola, and Afro-German author Olivia Wenzel. In addition to readings, there will be panels, live music and comedy events. The team behind the festival is also launching a publishing house for African and Afro-diasporic contemporary literature just in time for the opening, including at least four titles by authors who will also be appearing at the festival. Plenty of good reasons to drop by Alte Münze this weekend, then.

Text: Lara Sielmann / Photos: Andile Buka, Lidudumalingani & Jörg Kandziora / Credit: InterKontinental

Lara Sielmann is a cultural journalist and literary critic. Together with literary scholar Lena Vöcklinghaus, she curates the Berlin Contemporary Literatures reading series at Villa Oppenheim in Charlottenburg.

Festsaal Kreuzberg, Am Flutgraben 2, 12435 Berlin–Alt–Treptow; map
26.08.2022  opening from 19h

African Book Festival (26–28.08.2022) at Alte Münze, Molkenmarkt 2, 10179 Berlin–Mitte; map

@abfberlin