Panel discussion “Europa literarisch: Reisende Pionierinnen” in Berlin
Seeing the world through the eyes of women – in both a figurative and literal sense – is the theme EUNIC Berlin is exploring at the European Literary Dialogues as part of the “Europa literarisch” format. In a panel discussion, five experts will follow in the footsteps of women from Luxembourg, Austria, Serbia, Slovenia and Ukraine who, from the 18th to the 20th century, travelled from Europe to the Pacific, often with great effort and danger.
So what drove pioneers such as Ida Pfeiffer, Sofia Yablonska, Katrin C. Martin, Alma Karlin and Isidora Sekulió? What made them dare to do what was previously unthinkable? What did these travellers bring back from their extensive, far-reaching expeditions – and how does their literary engagement with the world continue to influence us today? How did they view their surroundings, and how does their perspective differ from or resemble ours? An evening about crossing borders yesterday, today and tomorrow, the urge to explore and the power of setting out and arriving.
On the podium:
- Barbara Sotelsek (filmmaker and actress) on Ida Pfeiffer (Austria);
- Prof. Dr. Angela Richter (Slavic studies scholar) on Isidora Sekuli (Serbia);
- Britta Jürgs (publisher, AvivA Verlag) on Alma Karlin (Slovenia);
- Claire Schmartz (translator, author and journalist) on Katrin C. Martin (Luxembourg);
- Claudia Dathe (translator) on Sofia Yablonska (Ukraine);
- Moderator: Stefanie Jaksch (author, presenter).
When: 20 November 2025, 7 p.m.
Where: Österreichisches Kulturforum (Stauffenbergstraße 1, 10785 Berlin)
Admission is free, but registration (link) is requested.
A collaborative event by EUNIC Berlin: Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg / Maison du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg, Austrian Cultural Forum Berlin, Embassy of the Republic of Serbia, Slovenian Cultural Centre SKICA Berlin, Ukrainian Institute in Germany.