Please join us for a talk with German Turkish author Hatice Açıkgöz, who will present her poetry collection fancy immigrantin – ein poetisches tagebuch (2023). In this poetic-fictional diary, Açıkgöz revisits her childhood and young adulthood, offering insight into what it means to grow up in Germany while feeling like an “outcast.” The author will also discuss German politics and what she calls the “violence of neutrality,” as the political dimensions of her writing have drawn increasing attention from readers and critics alike.

In conversation, Açıkgöz will talk about her creative process, the power of poetry, and its potential as a tool for empowerment. We will also speak with the author about the differences between writing a novel and curating a collection of shorter texts, and how the short form became her entry point into writing.