German Literature: The 21st Century
11:00 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008
Webster Auditorium
Admission: free

The focus of this talk ranges from beginning writers to professionals. It includes sponsorship of young writers, describes how they are supported by the German government and different organizations, and what beginners and advanced writers do in order to get a name in the literary scene. It provides an insight into stages for writers, writing contests, and courses in public organizations that are open to everyone (the point of view is Berlin). Additionally, it gives a glance at interesting contemporary authors, whose names bear potential for international fame.

Bodo C. Hacheney works as a writer and jazz musician in Berlin. He received his Ph.D. in physics from the Freie Universität Berlin and spent several years as a basic research scientist, IT specialist, and speaker. He won a writing competition of “Tagesspiegel,” was one of Berlin’s top 10 writers of the “Hörverlag” competition, and has been nominated for the Rotraud Danker literature prize. He has written three novels, several short stories and press articles, and is a chairman of the “Autorenforum Berlin” reading stage. In Berlin, he can be seen on stage as a novelist, pianist, and guitarist - solo or in duo, combo, and big band formations.