Literature is performative, it is not only writing, but also body and action. The ilb aims to break up and reinvent traditional formats. In this way, for the 24th time it presents extraordinary content, which has also been realized in collaboration with various partners.
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Special Formats at the 24th ilb
ilb 24 Key visual
In addition to classic book premieres and panel discussions, our program includes a Poetry Night, a literary revue, performances with music, a comfort food workshop, the Festival Kitchen, screenings and two festival parties. Here are some of the highlights:
Literature and Melody
Clemens Rynkowski and his musicians set the first tone and sound for the festival and set the mood for the opening speech by Beata Umubyeyi Mairesse. With: Ganna Gryniva - vocals, Aly Keïta - balafon, Laura Robles - cajón, Florian Rynkowski - bass/string instruments, Clemens Rynkowski - theremin/keyboard instruments/musical direction.
Festival opening | Thu 05 Sep | 18:00
Ben Okri won the Booker Prize in 1991 for his magical-realistic tour de force “The Hungry Road”. Today, he can count himself among the most important British authors of the present day. Creativity, he reminds us, must reflect the urgency of the times. Together with the interdisciplinary composer, pianist and singer Cymin Samawatie, Okri performs a selection of his texts and allows us to immerse ourselves in his work.
Ben Okri: Existential Creativity | Sat 07 Sep | 21:00
In cooperation with the Belgrade festival KROKODIL, we are bringing young Southeast European writers to the stage in a literary revue. Rumena Bužarovska, Diana Çuli, Barbara Delać, Lejla Kalamujić, Barbi Marković and Adelina Tërshani present new poetry and prose. Between the readings, Ane Paška will give a concert performance. Theater, music, text and video merge into a
into a unique art form.
Spaces of Freedom - Unlearning History | Fri 06 Sep | 20:00
The “Poetry Night” offers polyphonic, dazzling language art with outstanding poetic voices: Logan February, Tahir Hamut Izgil, Maria Stepanova and Hannah Sullivan. These Nigerian, Uyghur, Russian and British poets will read for you in their respective languages. Actors will read the German translations.
Poetry Night | Thu Sep 12 | 20:00
Film and food
Branwen Okpako will be showing her film “Return to Chibok”, which deals with the abduction of 276 girls by Boko Haram. It is based on Helon Habila's research and his literary report from 2017, “The Chibok Girls”. The author talks to the director about the multimedia work on this project. The film is part of the event “Shared Trauma” in cooperation with the Documentation Center Flight, Expulsion, Reconciliation
Shared Trauma - A Night of Remembrance | Fri 13 Sep | 18:00-24:00
Return to Chibok - Film screening | Fri 13 Sep | 22:00-23:45
“My mother's kitchen is a revolving door of flavors": The workshop by writer, poet and performer Wana Udobang uses memories and feelings about food to create poems and stories. Participants are invited to a culinary and literary exchange. Feel free to bring fruit or a dish with which you associate special memories!
Comfort Food Workshop | Sun 08 Sep | 14:00
No festival without parties!
We kick off the 24th ilb with drinks and music, while performer Wana Udobang gets us in the mood for the coming festival days with spoken word texts about feminism, joie de vivre and physicality. She released her latest album “Transcendence” in 2020. On the opening evening, we celebrate the magical and unifying power of words and music.
Opening ceremony | Thu 05 Sep | 21:30
After the conversation between Niclas Seydack and Caroline Wahl about the millennial generation, ilb and Tropen Verlag invite you to a “great time” at the ilb Closing x Tropen Party. After ten days, the festival culminates in a grand finale with a set of the finest music. At the turntables: the up and coming disco & house DJs WALL RA and Carl Hang. Admission is free. All are welcome.
ilb Closing x Tropical Party | Sat 14 Sep | 21:30
