Meridian Lyrikfestival zu Gast in Düsseldorf

In the organizer's words:

"Czernowitz" - this is what the Austrian city of Chernivtsi was called during the Habsburg monarchy. This city is rightly regarded as the secret literary capital of Europe. Olha Kobylanska and Jurij Fedkowytsch, Rose Ausländer and Georg Drozdowski, Josef Burg, Elieser Steinbarg, Itzik Manger, Gregor von Rezzori, Mihai Eminescu and the most mysterious European poet of the post-war period, Paul Celan, lived and wrote here.

On November 27, 2025, a special cooperation event with the International Literature Corporation Meridian Czernowitz invites you to Düsseldorf. In three parts, the evening will be dedicated to the fascinating literary tradition and present of the city of Chernivtsi.

First, cultural manager Evgenia Lopata and publisher Sviatoslav Pomerantsev, founder of Meridian Czernowitz and the Paul Celan Literary Center, will give an insight into the city's literary heritage since the 20th century - from Jewish life and literature to the voices of Paul Celan and Rose Ausländer.

Afterwards, the poet Igor Pomeranzev will read from his work "Czernowitz. Interior. Exterior" and reflects on his native city between memory and Soviet oppression.

Finally, Andrij Ljubka, poet, novelist and volunteer in the Ukrainian war, will present his new book "The War from Behind" (2024). He impressively shows how literature today not only describes reality, but also provides concrete help.