Literary night in the Rheinauhafen: Exciting stories under the stars!

Literary night in the Rheinauhafen: Exciting stories under the stars!

The Cologne literary scene can be happy: Next Wednesday, the Rheinauhafen will be the venue for the “Short Story Night”. The “Land insicht” association invites you to a special evening from 7 p.m. where five talented authors will present their latest short stories. This is an open-air event at Harry-Blum-Platz 1 that promises visitors an unforgettable literary experience. Admission begins shortly after 6 p.m. and tickets are available via the “Rausgehen” event portal.

Among the readers is the award-winning Mithu Sanyal, who not only received the Ruhr Literature Prize but also the Ernst Bloch Prize 2021 for her debut novel “Identitti”. Sanyal's works often address identity and cultural diversity, making her an important voice in German-language literature. In her latest novel “Antichristie”, which is on the longlist for the German Book Prize 2024, she deals with topics such as colonialism and internal violence. Antichrist follows the story of rebellious screenwriter Durga, who lives in London and struggles with the legacies of her multicultural heritage.

A colorful program

The diversity of literature will be rounded off this evening by other well-known authors. Joshua Groß, known for his novel “Plasma Drops”, will also present his works, as will Paul Jennerjahn, who is at home in various literary forms. Amuna Wagner, who has her roots in the German-Sudanese region, and Meral Ziegler, who writes for print as well as for stage and television, present their stories and thus ensure a varied program that covers a wide range of topics.

The event will be moderated by Mona Ameziane, who has already made a name for herself through other readings. At night in the open air with top-class literature – it will be an evening to enjoy!

And what comes after that?

Anyone interested in Mithu Sanyal's literary contributions should also take a closer look at her new novel "Antichrist". An exciting arc is drawn here from historical to current topics - such as the confrontation with Indian revolutionaries at the beginning of the 20th century and dealing with resistance in a world that is often perceived as unfair. Sanyal's humor and intelligence make her works a must for bookworms. Her debut novel “Identitti,” which deals with autobiographical elements and the experiences of mixed-race people, has already caused a stir and offers a deep insight into the challenges that come with such a background.

An exciting event also took place on September 20th with Mithu Sanyal and translator Alta L. Price, where complex topics such as identity and the challenges of translating humor were discussed. These conversations illuminate not only the challenges in literature, but also the cultural contexts that affect us all. The lectures, which take a critical look at the invisibility of certain figures in literature, are as exciting as they are instructive.

The “Short Story Night” in the Rheinauhafen will undoubtedly be a highlight for all literature enthusiasts and offers a platform for stories that will make us think. So be there when they say: “Reading for everyone!”