17. Juni 2025 / 19.30 Uhr / Garden / Literaturcafé
Talk with the Artist: Freedom, Ancestry & Care - Picador Guestprofessorship
Current PicadorProf, US-author Phillip B. Williams & Senthuran Varatharajah discuss our connection to past lives & our freedom within.
Join us for an intimate "Talk with the Artist" featuring our current Picador Guest Professor, the acclaimed U.S. author Phillip B. Williams. This exclusive conversation provides a unique opportunity to delve into the mind of Williams as he shares the inspirations and insights that influence his powerful writing. Hosted by Senthuran Varatharajah, this event promises a deep and engaging experience you dont want to miss.
Writing can be an act of care - care for the words we choose, the histories they carry, and the people they touch. Phillip B. Williams connects ancestry and freedom in his work, while building new paths on old grounds.
His newest novel OURS, set in the 1830s, unfolds in a fictional Southern U.S. city. A place shielded by magic that becomes a sanctuary for the formerly enslaved - a refuge built on resilience, hope, and the power of community. Here writing becomes a tool for breaking free from limitations, enabling the author to craft a story that is rooted in history while also reimagining the past in a meaningful way.
This creative process extends beyond personal exploration, inviting readers to reflect on their own heritage and recognize their connection to the world around them.
Lets dive into the transformative power of poetry and explore how these themes shape the creative process.
The Picador Guest Professorship is brought to you by Uni Leipzig, DAAD Artist Program, Picador and Holtzbrinck Berlin. This Event is a cooperation with EDIT Magazine and Literaturhaus Leipzig.