Berlin's Literary Lesungen

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Berlin's literary scene can be broken down into three categories: The kind of "establishment" readings common throughout Europe and America, generally organized by publishers and/or large book chains to promote an author and push sales. Another facet of the Berlin literary scene are the festivals and events spearheaded not only by publishers but also literary organizations and/or booksellers large and small. Finally, there are the Lesungen, readings that are a mix of performance art, a poetry slam and an open mic. These events, generally taking place in bars and cafes, can be comic, political or social in nature. They may include songs, stories, poems, radio plays or interaction with audience members, many of whom are regulars and fans of a particular reading group. Though some of the participating authors are published, most of the material you'll hear is written to be read for the performance. Everything has a spontaneous, temporal quality.

These shows tend to be unconventional, independent and distanced from the mainstream, and they're said to be a product of the former east's repressed counterculture mixed with the alternative scene that emerged there after the Wall fell. Not surprising, then, they first established themselves in the former eastern neighborhoods of Prenzlauer Berg and Mitte. Achtung: Almost all of these readings are in German. But even with just basic German skills, they're a chance to experience a unique subculture.

Café Lyrik

Kollwitzstraße 97
10435 Berlin, Germany

Readings are only one facet of Lyrik's progressive cultural activities aimed to entertain the P'berg intelligentsia. Here you'll find everything from modernized classical … music to political discussions to erotic reviews.[link]

N 52° 32.21217 E 13° 25.16521

LiteraturWERKSTATT

Knaackstraße 97
10435 Berlin, Germany

The mission of this organization is to provide a physical space where authors and their public can come together and to support the German-language literary illuminati … abroad. It's not surprising, then, that some of the more recognized literati appear on their program. That said, the Werkstatt can also be credited with discovering and nurturing fresh, young talent.[link]

N 52° 32.24896 E 13° 24.51814

Lokalrunde

Friedrichstraße 101
10117 Berlin, Germany

Defining itself as an avant-garde review, the show is full of shocking, sometimes politically incorrect, but generally amusing dialogue.[link]

N 52° 31.15311 E 13° 23.17408

Stirnhirnhinterzimmer

Bergstraße 2
10115 Berlin, Germany

A broad range of genres take center stage at this quirky monthly reading occurring every second Thursday at 8:15 p.m. in Z-Bar. A general, and often unlikely, unifying … principle brings together otherwise disparate literary snippets for the three host authors.[link]

N 52° 31.45098 E 13° 23.44383

Brauseboys

Liebenwalder Straße
13347 Berlin, Germany

You can find more droll and cheeky text, music, and performance here on Thursdays.[link]

N 52° 33.6865 E 13° 21.33271

Frühschoppen

Chausseestraße 18
10115 Berlin, Germany

These readings, including dialogue, song, and dance, take place at 1 p.m. on Sundays at Schlot in the Wedding neighborhood of the city. The subject matter is sometimes … a tad nonsensical, at other times sarcastic, and often irreverent. The first Sunday of each month is improv.[link]

N 52° 32.5078 E 13° 22.40954

Filed under Berlin, Has Map, Literature, Readings, Stacy Dorgan Bentz