Resonanzen - Schwarzes Internationales Literaturfestival

Curators: Sharon Dodua Otoo and Patricia Eckermann

This event is in German - please check the German-language page for detailed information about the programme.

Following the highly acclaimed first edition in 2022, we are excited to announce this year’s sequel to the literature festival "Resonances", which is dedicated to the celebration of Black German-language fiction. At the Halle König Ludwig 1/2, four days of readings, discussions, keynote speeches, and live music await us. Building on Black German-language performance art and literary traditions dating back to the beginning of the 20th century, "Resonances" is the first extensive literary festival in which Black artists and cultural practitioners collaborate with a major European cultural institution. This "festival within a festival" creates unique spaces for moving literature, enlightening discussions, and transformative encounters.

All literature lovers are welcome!

If you want to visit all 4 days, you can book a reduced festival pass. Simply book the 45 euro ticket in our webshop.

The first night’s opening address will be delivered by Booker Prize winner Bernardine Evaristo. During the following festival days, six literary newcomers will read their short stories written especially for the festival. Following each reading, literary experts Dr. Elisa Diallo, Dr. Ibou Coulibaly Diop, Dr. Dominique Haensell, and Aminata Cissé Schleicher will analyze the texts to discover connecting themes, metaphors, motifs, and narrative forms. They will also investigate similarities, breaks, and continuities through texts by past and present African writers and writers from the African diaspora.

Apart from the readings and discussions, there will be a diverse additional program. In keynote speeches and panels, experts from Germany and abroad will shed light on the history of the German-speaking Black diaspora and work out the differences and similarities of Black experiences. We will also discuss the appreciation of Black German-language prose in English-speaking countries and question how a similar level of recognition could be achieved in Germany.

We are looking forward to a special exchange - join us!