Christoph Links »Verschwundene Verlage. Ein unbekanntes Kapitel ostdeutscher Kulturgeschichte«

April 21, 2026 / 7.30 pm / Literature Café

Christoph Links "Disappeared publishers. An unknown chapter of East German cultural history"

At the end of the GDR, there were only 78 centrally authorized publishing houses, although more than 200 had received permission from the Soviet military administration after 1945. Publishing historian Christoph Links has researched the history of 150 publishing houses that disappeared and explores the question of why and how they disappeared in his book. Were they expropriated by the state for political reasons, forced to give up under tax law, did they migrate to the West, did they give up of their own accord or were they merged against their will? This raises the fundamental question of the means and methods used by the SED leadership in the cultural sector and how it eliminated intellectual and economic competition in order to create financially profitable monopolies for its favored companies.

Christoph Links presents his book, published by Ch. Links Verlag, in conversation with Leipzig publisher Mark Lehmstedt and presents unusual cases from the region.

Admission: 10,- / 7,- EUR ǀ Event organized by Literaturhaus Leipzig e.V.

Discounts are available for disabled people and their companions (only if listed on the disabled pass), the unemployed, schoolchildren and students (up to 35) as well as holders of the Leipzig Pass or an honorary pass (only on presentation of the pass).