Interview with the podcast hosts of blauschwarzberlin  "We Want to Spotlight the Daring, the Unconventional"

In this interview, podcast hosts Ludwig and Maria-Christina talk about how their podcast came about from a late shift at the bookshop – and what fascinates them about literature beyond the mainstream.

Feminist books, independent publishers, and new literary voices: In their podcast "blauschwarzberlin", Ludwig Lohmann and Maria-Christina Piwowarski talk about their recent reads – passionately, thoughtfully, and (almost) always with a good glass of wine. Their love for literature is something you can not only listen to, but also watch: via Insta-Live, where a well-known literary prize winner often drops in.

Since 2019, "blauschwarzberlin" has been enriching the wide world of literary podcasts. How did the idea come about?

Ludwig: Maria and I worked together for a while at the Berlin bookshop Ocelot. Customers often said they loved listening to us talk about books. So eventually we started opening a bottle of wine after the late shift, going live on Instagram, and chatting about our latest reads. Over time, we got more professional about it, started recording the audio – and that’s how the podcast slowly took shape.

You’ve kept the Insta-Lives going.

Maria-Christina: We have a loyal following there, which we’re really happy about. They always know everything we don’t – and they’re not shy about commenting.

Ludwig: What’s also great is that Saša Stanišić almost always pops in and comments something like, “What’s going on here again?”

How did you come up with the name "blauschwarzberlin"?

Ludwig: We were thinking about ink: printed ink is usually black, handwritten ink is blue. That’s the poetic answer.

And the plain one?

Ludwig: (laughs) I like to wear black, and Maria likes to wear blue.

Maria-Christina: And we’re sticking with it, because we want to offer a counterpoint to the political meaning of the color combination “blue-black.” On your podcast, you take turns presenting and discussing books. How do you choose what to feature?

Ludwig: It’s a joint decision. We talk almost exclusively about new releases and contemporary literature – that’s what we’re known for. And we really care about including the work of independent publishers. We also love discovering books translated from smaller languages – Norwegian, Georgian, for example – especially those that struggle for visibility in the German book market. Feminist values are also important to us, as well as literature that advocates for a diverse and inclusive society.

You’re both deeply connected to the independent literary scene. What fascinates you about it, and what sets it apart from the big corporate publishers?

Maria-Christina: One big difference is the size of the programs and the marketing budgets. It's admirable how much courage and commitment independent publishers bring to important topics – and how politically diverse their output is.

Ludwig: They’re also discoverers of new voices. Writers like Mareike Fallwickl or Tonio Schachinger were first published by small presses. Our commitment to literary diversity means showcasing these new voices. We want to spotlight the daring, the unconventional – the kinds of risks that indie publishers are willing to take. You’ve been recording the podcast at the Berlin State Library for a while now. What makes that space special?

Maria-Christina: It’s great to be in a place with such a wide literary horizon. There’s nothing better than a library – a space where books don’t have to be bought, just borrowed. It’s inclusive, and it gives people living in more precarious situations access to the broader literary world.

You’re not just loyal to the State Library – you’re also loyal to Pinot Grigio. You usually open a bottle of wine in each episode.

Maria-Christina: We actually had cola recently – and got called out for it in the comments (laughs). But yes, we really enjoy drinking wine and talking about books together. That said, it doesn’t have to be that combo every time. If we ever become a green-tea podcast, that’s fine too. Or to put it another way: the wine is more flexible than the literature.

Was there ever a book you totally disagreed on?

Maria-Christina: Oh, we disagree all the time – and our listeners love that. The ultimate example is A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. I think it’s absolutely brilliant. Ludwig finds it unbearably sentimental.

I see that divide in my own circle too.

Maria-Christina: So which side are you on, Benedikt?

I was blown away by the book!

Maria-Christina: I love that literature can be so polarizing. If we had more time, I think we’d deliberately pick a book each episode that we completely disagree on. I really enjoy a good argument – as long as it’s respectful.

Is there a project you’d love to realize with your podcast?

Ludwig: I’ve long dreamed that Maria and I could host something like a modern literary salon – a kind of quartet. Those kinds of formats are disappearing, but I think they’re incredibly fun. Talking about books with smart people, live – that’s something I’d love to keep doing.

If literary podcasts were books in a library, what kind of book would "blauschwarzberlin" be?

Maria-Christina: Maybe a long-form poem – or just a really good novel.

Ludwig: Maybe a mix of Hanya Yanagihara and Paula Fürstenberg. Something that builds a friendship through literature.

June 2025