Literary highlights in April

Endless wars destroy lives, humans destroy species, and women face greater threats than ever before. 2024 was the hottest year on record. The world is burning. How do we come to terms with this? How do we cultivate hope? Solidarity? Reporter Tuğba Ayaz curates and hosts the series ‘Thinking Hope’. She talks to the poet and writer about his latest essay, ‘Zugunruhe’. The title refers to the heightened motor activity observed in birds in the days just before they migrate to other habitats. Westermann explores the relationship between humans and nature, humans and animals. And it is precisely in naming the catastrophe that new avenues open up for tackling ecological destruction. Building on this, the conversation aims to steer towards hope. We could all do with some of that!

8 April | sogar Theater

Galerie Litar invites you to Tavolata. In a relaxed round-table setting, a changing line-up of female guests will be invited to take part in intergenerational discussions. The opening event is dedicated to the journalistic cradle of many female authors: feminist publishing houses. Liliane Studer from eFeF-Verlag and Jil Erdmann from Verlag sechsundzwanzig, two committed publishers, will come together. They will answer questions such as: Why are explicitly feminist publishers necessary? Shouldn’t all publishers be more feminist? What challenges need to be overcome? Which pioneering female writers are waiting to be discovered? Welcome to our small-group roundtable discussion!

9 April | Galerie Litar

Not everyone immediately associates Gottfried Keller with the popular genre of ‘nature writing’. Nevertheless, his work contains numerous references to and descriptions of nature. Where better to experience these than in a springtime park? As you stroll, his thoughts, aphorisms and maxims will strike a chord with you. Ideal conditions for moments of insight and a return to long-standing traditions of thought. The texts will be distributed on site.

11 April | Zurich Adult Education Centre

For anyone in need of a little more hope, I highly recommend Hadija Haruna-Oelker’s book *Zusammensein*. It is a compassionate plea for a society in which everyone can live a self-determined life. Ten years ago, the author became the mother of a child with a disability. Since then, she has encountered barriers that had previously remained hidden from her: misunderstandings and a school system that prevents inclusion. In her book, the political scientist analyses social divisions, anti-democratic movements and political developments that reinforce divisions. As an ally to her sons, however, she also highlights how we can learn from children, empower them and support them.

16 April | Gessnerallee, Zurich