Navid Kermani: In Search of a Common Cause

Navid Kermani, one of Germany’s most acclaimed writers, recently visited some of the world’s major conflict zones, not as a political analyst, but as a literary observer. Together with various U.S. intellectuals and writers, Kermani will discuss: What does it mean to be a writer in a polarized world marked by war, displacement, and political division? How is the concept of “the West” changing? How might literature, poetry, and religion serve as bridges in fractured societies and foster solidarity? These events bring together acclaimed thinkers from both sides of the Atlantic for a conversation on literature, politics, and spirituality at a moment of profound global change.

In his latest book “When our hearts open alike” (Wenn sich unsere Herzen gleich öffnen, 2025), Kermani reflects on how the unity of the Western alliances are breaking apart. Wars force us to take sides, which in turn leads to new conflicts. Democracy, with its compromises and balances of power, has become too complicated for many, yet simple solutions come at the expense of the vulnerable.

With this extensive lecture series, Navid Kermani, the Goethe-Institut in North America, and the Thomas Mann House Los Angeles explore how we can build and maintain solidarity among seemingly opposing identities, groups, and geopolitical alliances.

An event series by the Goethe-Institut in North America, the Thomas Mann House Los Angeles, and other U.S. partners.

Events are currently scheduled in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, and New York with additional locations to be announced soon. For an overview, scroll to the dark blue section at the bottom of the page.
 

About the Thomas Mann House Los Angeles

The Thomas Mann House Los Angeles is a transatlantic space for debate in the former exile home of German Nobel-laureate Thomas Mann in Pacific Palisades. The house organizes programs and events in L.A. and beyond, where innovators, scholars and artists from Germany and the U.S. address pressing issues related to democracy, society,artsand culture. Learn more at www.vatmh.org and follow them on social media @thomasmannhouse!

About Navid Kermani

Navid Kermani is an independent German writer, the son of Iranian immigrants, living in Cologne. He studied Middle Eastern Studies, Philosophy, and Theater in Cologne, Cairo, and Bonn, where he received the post-doctoral degree (“Habilitation”). For his literary and academic work, he was awarded numerous prizes, including the Hannah-Arendt-Prize, the Kleist-Prize, the Joseph-Breitbach-Prize, the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, the Hölderlin-Prize and the Thomas Mann-Prize.

His literary books are published by Carl Hanser Verlag (German) and Seagull Books (English), his academic and non-fictional works by C. H. Beck (German) and Polity Press (English).