March happenings
February 28, 2012
All the world's a stage
From March 1 to 11 Berlin's Schaubühne Theaterwill present a remarkable series of works by contemporary writers and theater makers. The young Russian author Mikhail Durnenkov presents his adaptation of August Strindberg's play "Miss Julie" with the Ensemble Theater of Nations from Moscow, directed by Thomas Ostermeier. The performance in Russian will include German and English subtitles.
What else is there to discover? Warsaw's New Theater will present the piece "African Tales from Shakespeare" on the Spree River, which runs through Berlin. The works are based on texts by the playwright and South African Nobel laureate J.M. (John Maxwell) Coetzee.
Another highlight, among the many guest performances, is John Cassavetes "Husbands," (pictured above) which will be performed by the Toneelgroep Amsterdam, directed by Ivo van Hove and will include Dutch, German and French subtitles.
Reading and listening
Lit.Cologne has long been an institution on Germany's literary scene. Taking place from March 14 to 24, it's in its 12th year and there will once again be readings with authors like Eugen Ruge and Tomas Tranströmer. The actor Iris Berben and bestselling author Roger Willemsen are also festival guests and, of the 172 events, over 70 are for children and young readers.
Popular TV presenter and author Elke Heidenreich, will talk to the fashion designer and photographer Karl Lagerfeld about his work and love of books. Crime fiction fans can look forward to a mega-event at the Cologne Arena, where the actor Matthias Brandt and author Frank Schätzing will appear with the WDR Radio Orchestra.
Festival of Literature
This month in the city of Leipzig, almost everything will revolve around reading and literature. The Leipzig Book Fair opens on March 15. As is customary, established writers and new names on the literary scene will be there. This year, authors Martin Walser and Friedrich Christian Delius are expected, as well as former politicians, Hans-Dietrich Genscher and Heiner Geissler.
The main focus in 2012 will be on literature from Poland, Ukraine and Belarus. The Leipzig Book Fair continues to be an important showcase for literature from Eastern Europe. Features include the presentation of the renowned Leipzig Book Prize and the Leipzig Reads program, which incorporates some 2,600 events in the most unusual places.
Contemporary music at its finest
The Berlin new music festival, MaerzMusik, takes place this year from March 17 to 25 and presents many different kinds of music. It is important to stay open to new sounds - remember Bach, Mozart and Jimi Hendrix were all ahead of their time.
The festival this year is dedicated to the composers John Cage and Wolfgang Rihm. Cage, who died 20 years ago, would have turned 100 this year. He is considered the founder of new improvisational music. The festival presents a number of Cage's key works, as well as works by artists from later generations who were influenced by him.
Wolfgang Rihm celebrates his 60th birthday on March 13. He is one of Germany's most renowned living composers and has been honored with countless awards.
A haven for musicians
Frankfurt will be a hive for everyone in the music industry, when on March 21 the Frankfurt Musk Fair opens its doors. The event offers something for musicians, sound engineers, lighting technicians and producers.
After the fair, those musicians might meet again on March 22 in Berlin, when the Echo Awards take place, Germany's most important music accolades. Among the artists nominated are Lady Gaga, Lena Meyer-Landrut, Udo Jürgens and Madonna.
Blogging at its best
And not to be forgotten, DW's very own Best of Bloggers or BOBs awards. Each year DW searches the world to find the best bloggers. Until March 13, blogs in six categories and 11 languages can be nominated. The awards are then presented in Bonn on June 26, during the DW Global Media Forum. For more information go to thebobs.com.
Author: Conny Paul / bos
Editor: Kate Bowen