A salon evening with the German writer Matthias Politycki.
Saturday, 5th of December 2009 at 7.30pm
Peirene premises, London N19
Peirene held her first ever sold-out literary Salon event last Saturday. The German writer Matthias Politycki, the emminent translator Anthea Bell (left) and the BBC journalist Rosie Goldsmith gave a stunning performance.
Rosie's intro to the panel discussion:
"The first time I met Meike Ziervogel and heard about Peirene it was the names that intrigued me: ‘Peirene’ was the name of a Greek nymph transformed into a spring, from which poets drank for inspiration. Perfect name for a publishing house. And Ziervogel…the name of an ornamental bird…then ‘Zierlich’ – the word for dainty…
But it soon became clear to me that this dainty woman standing tall in a stunning array of high heels was not just ornamental but a powerhouse - an eagle, flying high. With the not-small ambition to improve and increase the number of books translated in this country by publishing modern European literature in English. And only short books! Maybe it’s something to do with her height!
And since I’ve got to know her work better – and her gorgeous books and shoe collection - I have become a fully signed up Periene fan. Then when I found out Meike was reviving the art of the Literary Salon - I was smitten. Tonight is a tribute to Meike, a tribute also to European literature and to the art of the translator.
And speaking of which we have with us 2 dazzling examples of those 2 arts: the Queen of English translators, Anthea Bell, who has translated many European classics from Asterix to Max Sebald to Siegfried Lenz, and the writer Matthias Politycki – who must be one of the nicest writers I have ever met – funny, readable and – amazingly - German!! - but don’t be fooled: he also writes about murder, mysticism and other black and bleak matters. At least, he does in his latest work – just published in German - Jenseitsnovella – Other World Novella. A page-turning pleasure… And in spite of the density of ideas, angles and references, this novella has a supreme lightness of touch…It never feels weighed down by its own significance." Rosie Goldsmith
"If a salon like Meike's exists in London, then European Literature must be doing well in the UK. Especially if it's a salon filled to the brim with such warm and receptive people, who not only laugh at the right places but also allow their eyes to fill with tears. What a variety of emotions, what wonderful conversations afterwards. I haven't experienced such a full evening - in every sense of the word - anywhere else. " Matthias Politycki, author
"Just to say thank you for an immensely enjoyable and interesting evening. I don't know much about contemporary German writing and Matthias, with his wit and urbanity, was a wonderful start. I was delighted to meet Rosie Goldsmith whom I had very much admired when she shared a seminar on Berlin at the Barbican. You organise these evenings with so much charme and verve - what a wonderful thing to do in these bleak times. Please put me on your mailing list for future events." Ingrid Mendelsohn, guest
"Congratulations and thank you for a wonderful evening – cream of the cream. As you said, three stars on stage at once. It surely can't always be like that. The quality of the reading was very high ... In gatherings I normally want to avoid most people and pick out about two; here I would like to have met every single person, but was diverted by the wonderful Brie." Nicholas Jacobs, publisher of Libris
The evening was attended by (in alphabetical order):
Carlos Cordes, Katrin Cordes, Sigi Dlabel (artist), Colin De Hall, Max Eastermann (journalist), Katja Forreiter and two guests, Susanne Frane (lecturer German literarture), Imke Henkel (journalist), Tanya Howarth (literary agent), Nicholas Jacobs (publisher, Libris), Zoe Jenny (writer), Stella Kane (literary agent), Deborah Levy (writer) and two guests, Jackline McLane and one guest, Ingrid Mendelsohn, Jay Merril (writer), Martin Mills, Angus Nicholls (professor, German literature) and one guest, Sarah Pickstone (artist), Birgit Politycki, Jonathan Sale (reviewer) and one guest, Axel Scheffler (illustrator), Daniela Schlingmann (literary scout), Chris Schueler (reviewer), Jamie Searle (translator), Doug Teesdale, Stefan Tobler (translator)
Matthias Politycki begun his writing career back in the 1980s. At that point he was celebrated for his prize winning avant-garde literature - with no plot or characters any where in sight. By the early 90s, he decided that life in the ivory tower was lonely and if he wanted more readers he needed to indulge in the art of story telling. And so he set out to do exactly that. Six published novels later, he is now recognized as one of Germany’s cleverest plot creators. “A truly professional story teller,” “exciting”, “gripping”, “a masterful novella” are just a few of the comments for his latest black romance, Other World Novella.
So of course I am thrilled to welcome Matthias to the next Peirene salon and introduce him to our guests. The few times I have met him make me confident that he will deliver a performance full of charm and panache. Moreover, the evening will also be attended by the eminent translator Anthea Bell and the reading will be chaired by the journalist Rosie Goldsmith.
Please book early by phoning 0207 6861941 or email: meike.ziervogel@peirenepress.com
We request an £8/ per person donation. Wine, potato salad, cheese and cake will be served after the reading.