On the Road

Words, reflections, and encounters: Two German writers, Louise Kenn and Mücahit Türk, set out across the United States, meeting people from all walks of life and chronicling their encounters in an online travel blog. The primary objective of this initiative is to reimagine the transatlantic relationship for a new generation and deepen the literary dialogue between Germany and the United States.

A one-way arrow with the words "On the Road" alongside portraits of authors Louise Kenn & Mücahit Türk on an orange, desert-looking background © Ricardo Roa

Across the American Southwest

In March and April 2026, Louise Kenn and Mücahit Türk traveled through the American South — from Las Vegas to San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, and on to New Orleans, Houston, Austin, and Dallas. After a stopover in New York, they returned to Germany.

The writers share their experiences and reflections in the Goethe-Institut’s online magazine Gegenüber, as well as on social media.

At each stop, the Goethe‑Institut and its partners organized readings, performances, conversations, and other exchange formats in which the authors presented their own literary texts – published or in progress – in English translation, and engaged directly with audiences. Throughout the tour, they met a wide range of readers in diverse settings, including bookstores, schools, libraries, universities, companies, and private host families.

A graphic showing various locations in the USA connected by lines on an orange, desert-like background. © Goethe-Institut, Ricardo Roa © Ricardo Roa

Travel notes on Gegenüber

Explore the voices of a new generation. The ON THE ROAD writing grows out of a space where close observation meets personal reflection, showing how literature evolves when one embraces unfamiliar landscapes, voices, and viewpoints. Follow their trip and read stories from on the road on GEGENÜBER, the digital magazine of the Goethe-Institut in North America.

Two black-and-white polaroids on a light blue background featuring a road and a close-up of a hand holding a pen © Ricardo Roa © Ricardo Roa

Follow their travels on Instagram

Follow the Goethe‑Institut GEGENÜBER Instagram channel, where we will be sharing insights and updates about the journey by Louise Kenn und Mücahit Türk starting in March 2026: @goetheinstitut_gegenuber

A street sign with the Instagram logo and two red arrows © Ricardo Roa © Goethe-Institut, Ricardo Roa

Impressions from On the Road

In fall 2025, writers Sonali Beher and Iven Yorick Fenker set out on the first ON THE ROAD adventure. This gallery gathers the impressions and memories they collected from the East Coast to Texas.

Iven Yorick Fenker and Sonali Beher in conversation with Vladimir Balzer on stage, in front of a green Goethe-Institut backdrop — Iven Yorick Fenker and Sonali Beher together with cultural journalist and moderator Vladimir Balzer at the closing event of the East Coast writers’ tour | © Goethe-Institut/Daniel Albanese

Sonali Beher and Iven Yorick Fenker in conversation with Dr. Fatima Baig on stage — As part of the opening celebration for the Goethe-Institut’s new branch in Houston, Sonali Beher and Iven Yorick Fenker held a reading, moderated by Dr. Fatima Baig of Rice University. | © Goethe-Institut/Herr Willie Production

Sonali Beher and Iven Yorick Fenker together with Oliver Gorf in front of a large bookshelf during a reading — Sonali Beher and Iven Yorick Fenker during their reading at Books & Books in Coconut Grove, Miami, moderated by Oliver Gorf, Executive Director of the Goethe-Institut Atlanta | © Goethe-Institut

Iven Yorick Fenker and Sonali Beher stand together with Scott Denham and Reinhard von Hennigs in front of a painting. — As part of their visit to Davidson College in Charlotte, Sonali Beher and Iven Yorick Fenker met with Professor Scott Denham (German Studies) and Reinhard von Hennigs, the German Honorary Consul in Charlotte. | © Goethe-Institut

Sonali Beher and Iven Yorick Fenker stand alongside five others. — Reading by Sonali Beher and Iven Yorick Fenker at Sonny's Pizzeria in D.C., held in collaboration with The Inner Loop | © Goethe-Institut

Iven Yorick Fenker and Sonali Beher stand alongside three others in a bookstore. — ven Yorick Fenker and Sonali Beher together with Carol Rauch, manager of Baldwin's Book Barn, and Lisa Hofmann from the Goethe-Institut Washington | © Goethe-Institut/Teddy Rodger

Iven Yorick Fenker and Sonali Beher stand in front of a bookshelf featuring a bust of Goethe, looking at each other. — Iven Yorick Fenker and Sonali Beher at the opening event of "On the Road" at the Goethe-Institut New York | © Goethe-Institut/Annette Baran

UNTERWEGS is a project in cooperation with the German Literature Institute Leipzig and under the patronage of Prof. Dr. Ulrike Draesner.