Part of the Movement

In its eigth year of existence, Teil der Bewegung [Part of the Movement] has become an institution in the literary landscape of readings at Leipzig's book fair. It's organized by some of Germany's more well-known publishers of poetry (Kookbooks, Schöffling & Co., Poetenladen) and features some of the best voices in German poetry. Although I was initially amused by the slightly pretentious title, the readings have been generally delivered what they've promised with a room packed with an audience of around 150.

And since it's beginning, the reading has taken place in the Leipzig's renowned Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst (HGB). This year it featured 15 minute blocks by Hannes Bajohr, Alexander Gumz, Christiane Heidrich, Adrian Kasnitz, Christian Schloyer, Walter Fabian Schmid, Katharina Schultens, Andra Schwarz, with musical interludes by KID BE KID. Along with Jennifer Sprodowsky, I was also honored to lend my voice, reading poems by Grace Paley, who had recently be translated into German by Mirko Bonné. Most people might be more familiar with her as an excellent writer of short stories, but she made her mark as a poet as well. And now she's a (posthumous) part of the movement.