Gegenüber Talks © Ricardo Roa
© Ricardo Roa

Literature across borders
 Gegenüber TALKS

The Goethe-Instituts in North America invite you to a digital literature series that celebrates the diversity of German literature - from new voices and graphic novels to classics, utopias, and dystopias. The exchange with authors, publicists and literature fans from North America and Germany will lead to exciting conversations - interactive and open to all. 

Upcoming TALKS

Black and white portraits of Susan Bernofsky and Veronika Fuechtner on the GEGENÜBER Talks slide with black background © Goethe-Institut / portrait Susan Bernofsky: Caroline White / portrait Veronika Fuechtner: Katie Lenhart

Nov 25, 1 PM ET: Susan Bernofsky & Veronika Fuechtner on Thomas Mann

Climbing the Magic Mountain: A conversation about the challenges of translating and editing Thomas Mann’s The Magic Mountain, the enduring fascination of this novel and its timeliness in the current political moment. Veronika Fuechtner and translator Susan Bernofsky discuss their collaboration on a new edition, offering fresh insights into Mann’s classic and its significance for contemporary readers.
© Goethe-Institut Mexiko / Ilustración: Ricardo Roa

10. Dec, 2 PM ET: A conversation with poet José F. A. Oliver and author Mario Martín Gijón

In this special encounter, poet José F. A. Oliver will present some of his poems and engage in a discussion with author Mario Martín Gijón about the challenges of writing poetry in today’s political context. They will explore how earlier poems gain new relevance through their connection to the theme of migration and what new perspectives emerge through the use of artificial intelligence.
Anna (1403 x 610 px)

Dec 10, 7 PM ET: Reading Group about 'Anna,' by Mia Oberländer

This Gegenüber TALK is an invitation to join a reading group for contemporary German graphic novels in hybrid format: in person at the Goethe-Institut Chicago and virtually from anywhere via Zoom! Practice your German while exploring themes and artistic styles. Open to all levels. This session features Anna by Mia Oberländer, a bold debut about navigating a world that feels too small.

Recordings

  1. An image of two people on a gray background with the inscription GEGENÜBER TALKS and lightning-like graphics in blue.

    Recording: Karl Marx's 'Capital' with Paul Reitter & Paul North

    Watch the recording of the Gegenüber TALK on the English translation of Karl Marx's "Capital" with translator Paul Reitter & editor Paul North. 
  2. An image of two people on a gray background with the inscription GEGENÜBER TALKS and two lightning-like graphics in blue and orange.

    Recording: Authors Sonali Beher & Iven Yorick Fenker in conversation with Katea Stitt

    Watch the recording of the Gegenüber TALK with the ON THE ROAD authors. 
  3. An image of two women on a gray background with the inscription GEGENÜBER TALKS and two lightning-like graphics in blue and orange.

    Recording: 'Good Girl' with author Aria Aber & Theresia Enzensberger

    Watch the recording of the Gegenüber TALK about the novel Good Girl.
  4. Gegenüber Book Talks: Helene Bukowski et Shelley Pomerance

    Recording: 'Milk Teeth' with author Helene Bukowski & Shelley Pomerance

    Watch the recording of the Gegenüber TALK about the novel Milk Teeth.