Physical health, the European peace order – givens that seem irrefutable, certainties that have been cherished for a long time.

Now you can use them to line your drawer like old newspaper.

At that time, the Federal Republic, spoiled by prosperity and peace, was still thinking that after the end of the pandemic winter, whether or not the face mask was worn would be the big issue of summer, when Putin was already gathering his troops on the Ukrainian border.

And put them in.

Florian Balke

Culture editor in the Rhein-Main-Zeitung.

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Everything is no longer the same as before.

"Cracks" are therefore the theme of the "Literaturm" festival, which the city of Frankfurt organizes every two years.

Cracks in the familiar, in the stable, in the reliable.

The organizers of the festival in the cultural office also know something about this.

In the spring of 2020, "Literaturm" had to be canceled shortly before it opened because the city and region, like the rest of Germany, closed their doors and went into lockdown.

For the first time in four years, reading will take place on the upper floors of Frankfurt's high-rise buildings, with a far-reaching view, in places that are otherwise inaccessible to visitors, with changing, exciting perspectives on the fabric of the metropolis and the surrounding area.

And this year, as it were, also some comfort for the feeling of lost overview.

Eastern European voices in focus

Many voices about Eastern Europe, about the Russian attack on the neighboring country - they form the center of the program.

The festival will open on June 27 at 8 p.m. in the Volksbühne am Großer Hirschgraben with a discussion about the war in which the Ukrainian Bachmann Prize winner Tanja Maljartschuk, her Russian colleague Viktor Jerofejew, the historian Gerd Koenen and the in London teaching political scientist Lea Ypi.

Until July 3, there are readings at 6 p.m., 7.30 p.m. and 8 p.m., so that you can combine appointments and get some festival feeling within a single day.

Of course, this can be increased if you stop by the Opernturm or one of the other skyscrapers for two or more days.

On June 30, from 8 p.m., Viktor Jerofejew will report on his work on his Putin novel “The Great Gopnik”, on July 1 from 6 p.m. Karl Schlögel, Gerd Koenen and Wolfgang will think about reading books under the title “Berlin-Moscow ' about the 'German Russia Complex'.

It's about "Belarus, a country in Putin's clutches" (July 2, 6 p.m.) and with Andrei Kurkov about "Letters Against the War" (July 2, 8 p.m.).

But there will also be talks about women in Afghanistan (June 29, 6 p.m.), reactionary thinking (June 30, 6 p.m.), Heidegger (June 30, 8 p.m., with Peter Sloterdijk) and East Germany (July 2, 6 p.m.). ).

On July 3rd, Jörg Isermeyer will read from "Badger and Rocket - Off to the City!" in the children's program from 11 a.m. and from 4 p.m. on Gerda Raidt from "Limonade im Kirschbaum".

The first is about an eviction notice, the second about overprotective parents.

"Literaturm", June 27th to July 3rd, various venues in Frankfurt and the region, tickets and further information are available here.