“To comfort the disturbed and to disturb the comfortable.” In her program preface to the 18th International Literature Festival Berlin, Prof. Monika Grütters, Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, borrows David Foster Wallace’s definition of the power of literature to launch this celebration of the written word. Eleven days of readings, talks, workshops, poetry slams and screenings will be held all across the city, in German and English. If the comprehensive program overwhelms at first glance, here are three of our picks: A screening of Ai Weiwei’s “Human Flow”, followed by a Q&A with the artist (6.9.2018, 18h), the formidable novelist Rachel Cusk reading from her “Kudos”, the final in her acclaimed trilogy (13.9.2018, 21h), and the special topic series “What Comes After the Nation State?” — performances, readings and discussions dedicated to investigating the precarious past decade post-GFC. Whichever side of Foster Wallace’s dichotomy you fall on, secure your tickets here for what promises to be an enlightened ten (more) days of literary inspiration. (Text: Anna Dorothea Ker / Photos: c/o International Literary Festival Berlin)
Haus der Berliner Festspiele, Schaperstr.24, 10719 Berlin-Wilmersdorf; map
International Literature Festival Berlin, on through 15.9.2018. Program, tickets
