Friday, October 2, at 7:30 p.m. at the Literaturhaus

GUEST COUNTRY: CZECH REPUBLIC AT THE FRANKFURT BOOK FAIR

Moderator: Ruben Höppner (Anthea Verlag)

Reading in German: Oliver Wronka

Translation: Yvana von den Driesch

MIROSLAV HLAUČO has been awarded the Magnesia Literary Prize—the most prestigious Czech literary award—twice for “Pfingsten,” in both the “Debut” and “Book of the Year” categories. As part of the Guest of Honor program at the Frankfurt Book Fair, he will present the novel at the Literaturhaus and transport the audience into an all-too-magical world.

In a secluded mountain village at the beginning of the last century, people still walk on water, speak with saints, and split rocks in two with a whistle. But modernity is already on the horizon—in the form of sewing machines—until the old miracles are gradually replaced by the new.

This sensational novel from the Czech Republic is both entertaining and humorous, written by an author who, in his late 50s, is currently experiencing his own literary miracle.

ORGANIZER: Literaturhaus Villa Clementine/Wiesbaden Cultural Office, sponsored by Czechia, the Guest of Honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2026

Tuesday, October 6, at 7:30 p.m. at the Literaturhaus Villa Clementine

NEW LITERATURE FROM IRELAND

Moderator & Translator: Antje Deistler

Reading in German: Anke Sevenich 

She worked as a cook for thirty years, then wrote short stories that made her famous overnight. Now in her late 50s, LOUISE KENNEDY is one of the rising stars of the Irish literary scene and was honored with the Irish Book Award for her debut, *Transgressions*.

Her second novel, *Red*, is now being published. It is set in 1980s Ireland and centers on the tender bond between Red and Róisín. With precise and powerful language, Kennedy captures the spirit of Irish turmoil and accompanies the two teenagers down unknown paths, toward a United Kingdom where their youthful dreams are confronted with bitter reality.

ORGANIZER: Literaturhaus Villa Clementine/Wiesbaden Cultural Office in cooperation with the Consulate General of Ireland in Frankfurt

Tuesday, October 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Literaturhaus

GUEST COUNTRY: CZECH REPUBLIC AT THE FRANKFURT BOOK FAIR

Author Reading

Moderator: Marita Hübinger

RADKA DENEMARKOVÁ is the only Czech author to have won the Magnesia Literary Prize four times; she has also been elected to the German Academy for Language and Literature and has received numerous awards here in Germany. This balancing act between cultures and languages is also reflected in her work.

In *Chocolate Blood*, we travel by train through the 19th century and across Europe, together with three historical figures: the writers Božena Němcová and George Sand, as well as the oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller. Through these characters, she explores nationalism, capitalism, and gender equality, steering them along experimental paths, crossing timelines, and picking up speed in a fast-paced prose that Nobel Prize-winning author Olga Tokarczuk has described as a “magic mirror.”

ORGANIZER: Literaturhaus Villa Clementine/Wiesbaden Cultural Office in cooperation with the Hessian Literary Council, sponsored by Czechia, the Guest of Honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2026

Tuesday, October 20, at 7:30 p.m. at the Literaturhaus

“Helmuth Plessner—A Free Spirit from the City”

The philosopher Helmuth Plessner is garnering increasing international attention. His work is continually being translated into English and French. Plessner’s perspective on the German nation—which is confronted with traces of the past in the present and is trying to find an answer to the question of who “we” are—is highly relevant today.

TILMAN ALLERT is a sociologist, social psychologist, and author. In addition to several books, he has written articles for publications such as the FAZ and the NZZ. In his lecture, he explores the “timeless” relevance of Helmuth Plessner, a key author of our time.

The event will take place in Wiesbaden on September 4, 2026, in conjunction with the presentation of the Helmuth Plessner Prize to Jay M. Bernstein.

ORGANIZER: Wiesbaden Department of Culture

Friday, October 23 at 3:00 p.m. at the Literaturhaus

Shared Reading at the Literaturhaus has been attracting a lot of interest for some time now. Now you have another chance to join the group for the new session! With a maximum of 15 people, we’ll read condensed texts (short stories and poetry) aloud together. After reading short sections, we’ll share and discuss our impressions, feelings, and associations as a group. Focusing on the text helps trigger inner processes, and at the same time, we connect with the story’s content and stay engaged with the text.

The group is suitable for people who are interested in literature and want to learn more about themselves and others through this experience.

The number of participants is limited. Acceptance is based on the order in which registrations are received.
First-time participants will be given priority.

ORGANIZER: Angelika Gellrich with support from the Literaturhaus Villa Clementine/Wiesbaden Cultural Affairs Office

Saturday, October 24, at 7 p.m. at the Literaturhaus

“Reading Instead of Dancing” is the theme of this unique party hosted by the Literaturhaus. Here, book lovers gather to immerse themselves in a good book—far away from to-do lists and ringing cell phones—and read together in a quiet yet convivial atmosphere. The idea comes from the U.S., where “silent reading parties” have been a thing for years. Of course, the GLYG team will provide drinks and snacks. Afterward, anyone who’d like to can chat with others about their reading experiences and pick up some book recommendations.

It’s the perfect reading party—for introverts and book nerds! Just bring whatever you’re reading right now and stop by.

Reservations are recommended; please contact GLYG at 0176-60939475. Seats in the Red Salon are available on a first-come, first-served basis without a reservation.

Tuesday, October 27, at 7:30 p.m. at the Literaturhaus

THE EVENT IS SOLD OUT. ONLY DISCOUNTED TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR FOR A VIDEO BROADCAST IN THE ADJACENT ROOM. NO RESERVATIONS ARE ACCEPTED.

Moderator: Shirin Sojitrawalla (DLF and taz)

“Alleinruhelage”—that’s what Austrians call properties in extreme seclusion. In the novel of the same name, EVA MENASSE has her first-person narrator reconnect with her vacation home; she addresses it and reflects on episodes from their shared life.

With a very special, insightful prose, the curator of the 2019 Wiesbaden Literature Festival reflects in her new novel on foreignness and home, on goodbyes, and on how one actually manages to make this fresh start in midlife.

ORGANIZER: Literaturhaus Villa Clementine/Wiesbaden Cultural Office as part of Leseland Hessen, with the kind support of the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Art and Culture, the Sparkassen Cultural Foundation of Hesse-Thuringia, and hr2-kultur

Wednesday, October 28, at 7:30 p.m. at the Literaturhaus

Moderator: Beate Tröger (DLF and FAZ)

MARTINA HEFTER is a performance artist; dance is always an integral part of her literary work. For this, she was awarded the Literature Prize of the State Capital of Wiesbaden. For her novel “Hey guten Morgen, wie geht es dir?” she received, among other awards, the German Book Prize.

In her latest novel, the visual arts take center stage. Installation artist Iona Bartschok needs a new project. She moves into a converted industrial hall, with only a digital dog to keep her company. As in her previous work, parallels can be drawn to the author herself, and readers can look forward to discovering what choreography emerges in the text this time. 

ORGANIZER: Literaturhaus Villa Clementine/Wiesbaden Cultural Office as part of Leseland Hessen, with the kind support of the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Art and Culture, the Sparkassen Cultural Foundation of Hesse-Thuringia, and hr2-kultur

Thursday, October 22, at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. at the Literaturhaus

THE WORKSHOP IS FULLY BOOKED!

For 4th graders

Let’s be honest: Have you ever bought a book just because you liked the cover? It’s the very first impression and determines whether you’ll even pick up the book. In this workshop, illustrator FELICITAS HORSTSCHÄFER will show you how much work goes into a cover illustration and how to go from an idea to the first draft. She’ll offer insights into her work—after all, she’s designed over 300 covers—and guide you step by step as you create your own book cover. Characters, colors, motifs, fonts—all of these need to be carefully considered.

Friday, October 30, at 11 a.m. at the Literaturhaus

THE READING IS SOLD OUT!

Elementary school reading for 1st and 2nd graders

Just two more sleeps… One more time… Yay, today is the first day of school, and Käthe has been looking forward to it so much! But once she’s in the classroom, she’s completely frozen with shock: Käthe is totally nervous! Luckily, she meets Shrimpie. The two become best friends and go on all kinds of adventures.

MONI PORT (text) and CLAUDIA WEIKERT (illustrations) have been nominated for the Max und Moritz Prize in the “Best Comic for Children” category for their hilarious comic.

ORGANIZER:
Literaturhaus Villa Clementine/Wiesbaden Cultural Office as part of Leseland Hessen, with the kind support of the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Art, and Culture; the Sparkassen Cultural Foundation of Hesse-Thuringia; and hr2-kultur