/ The World in German

There is a unique aspect to the literary program “forum:autoren” (author’s forum) within the Literature Festival. Each year, it is being curated by a different author who has been appointed to take charge and decide on its concept and the choice of other writers. In 2010, Ilija Trojanow decided to make cosmopolitanism and multilingualism the centre of his concept under the slogan “local: global”. This year, curated by Mathias Politycki, it is being centered around “The World in German” -  the cultural understanding and diversity of German contemporary literature.   

The World in German
This year, “forum:autoren” takes into account what really matters in German speaking contemporary literature and discusses what is truly relevant in both style and composure. We have invited over 50 authors, all masters of their trade, who, vicariously, travel out into the world or at least keep a watchful eye on it in order to collect stories and experiences: the whole world in German. 

We are proud of our selection because every single author that has been invited distinctively represents something very special - with his voice, figures, plots and tone. Special attention has been given to the numerous lyric poets among them -  we want to show that one can still be inspired and swept away by poetry! And there will be a debate about our contemporary literature which takes on a major role. Every day, we shall ask anew - which topics and problems occupy our authors? And someone, who, like me, has grown up here in Munich, knows that celebration is always a vital part of it! So it will always take place after the last reading of the day in the “Living Author’s Salon”.  

Let’s hope for a great experience, just as we have imagined it. If we succeed, it will be partially due to the euphoria of our team. I look forward to everyone whose curiosity we have been able to capture – and who will raise a glass with us in the “salon”.  

Matthias Politycki
The “grandest living language culinary of German poets” as described in the German newspaper “Die Welt”, is not only considered to be one of the most important ambassadors of German contemporary literature, he is also one of its world travellers. Since 1987, he has published poems, essays, anecdotes and novels such as “Lord of the Horns”, lastly “Next World Novella” and the mesmerizing (Anti) hero epic “London for Heroes”. Matthias Politycki, born in 1955, lives in Hamburg and Munich.