Book Week
Pumping up the Volumes Although the motto of this year’s International Spring Book Week (March 6-21) is “Fiction & Science,” don’t expect to see a gathering of Perry Rhodan fans paging through books on robots and life on distant planets. While classic science fiction literature certainly has its place at the Book Week, this literary festival goes much further, exploring the connection between fiction and the world of science. The possibilities and dangers of modern science, such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence or human cloning, have made their way into today’s fiction, while scientists employ narrative techniques to explain complex scientific findings to a broader audience. In numerous readings, lectures and discussions with some two dozen writers from around the world, the Book Week examines the mutual inspiration of literature and science. The illustrious guests range from Carl Djerassi, father of the birth control pill, to Vladimir Sorokin, enfant terrible of the contemporary Russian literary scene. With visiting authors from England and the United States, several events will be held in English.Highlights include:
08.03 The Alphabet of Life.
Lecture and discussion with British scientist Matt Ridley about gene technology
20:30 (Literaturhaus)
09.03 Einstein’s Dreams.
Reading and discussion with American author Alan Lightman
20:30 (Literatur Moths, Rumfordstr. 48)
10.03 Reading with American cyberpunk author Bruce Sterling
18:00 (Literaturhaus)
11.03 A discussion with British scientist Ian Wilmut, who cloned the famous sheep “Dolly”
14:00 (Literaturhaus)
18.03 LogOut. Lecture and discussion with astronomer and Internet critic Clifford Stoll
20:00 (Lothringerstr. 13).
See What’s Up for more Book Week events.
