Rockstar Authors and Musicians Collide: "Scribes and Strums" - A Berlin Literary Gathering
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Thursday Gathering of Distinguished Literary Minds: A Weekly Salon Hosted by Acclaimed Authors - Weekly Literary Gathering: "Scribes' Thursdays" for Renowned Authors
Sven Regener, Campino from Die Toten Hosen, director Oskar Roehler, and Flake from Rammstein - some of Berlin's most celebrated literary talents grace the stage of the unique "Scribes and Strums" event. For a decade, renowned authors, musicians, and actors have gathered for this literary salon, held every quarter at the salon above the famous Borchardt restaurant in Berlin-Mitte.
The exclusive invite-only affair, sponsored by undisclosed patrons, attracts up to 200 attendees who gather to hear a selection of current book excerpts from esteemed authors. This concentrated dose of literature in one evening captivates the crowd, much like a festival, as its organizer, journalist and author Rainer Schmidt, describes it.
Schmidt, editor-in-chief of the magazine "Frankfurter Allgemeine Quarterly" and author himself, maintains that the focus is on the material, with little time for questions or speeches. If an author's work has touched you, you'll find twelve minutes too short, wanting to read it for yourself afterward, Schmidt affirms. Conversely, if a book doesn't grip you, it's merely a twelve-minute inconvenience.
The eclectic mix of authors is carefully curated based on Schmidt's personal preferences and interest. Regardless of whether a book is a bestseller, debut, exotic, or older, its potential for intrigue and substance is what qualifies it for the stage. Schmidt favors "harder, reality-based, original material" and material with a musical connection.
This bond between music and literature is a recurring theme in the "Scribes and Strums" series. "Literature influences musicians, musicians inspire authors, and the music world sparks new stories," elucidates Schmidt. Ideally, he desires musicians to read from their own books or to perform live music during the events, fusing literature and music in an exceptional narrative tapestry.
Names such as Wolfgang Niedecken (BAP), Inga Humpe (2raumwohnung), Alexander Hacke (Einstürzende Neubauten), and DJ Westbam are among the accomplished performers on the extensive roster. Actors like Edgar Selge, Dietmar Bär, Heike Makatsch, and Jörg Hartmann have also graced the stage.
To date, the "Scribes and Strums" series has welcomed nearly 200 unique guests. Larger reading and concert events have transpired in Hamburg, Cologne, and Frankfurt, showcasing the burgeoning popularity of this extraordinary literary gathering. This week, the tenth anniversary of the event is celebrated, with the 52nd event and a festive party to commemorate the occasion.
Schmidt originally started the modest series a decade ago, centered around authors and topics revolving around nightlife, music, and pop culture. "I thought, brilliant, that's exactly what it should be. I'll make it a series," he recalls. Now, the series has grown to be a beloved event among many authors, publishers, and attendees alike.
The organizers often include live music between readings, a significant development from the earlier years, Schmidt notes. Among the memorable moments was Campino's reading accompanied by old original Liverpool songs. Another unforgettable evening featured French bestselling author Frédéric Beigbeder, who, allegedly, arrived inebriated from a party at an adjacent hotel and struggled to read his text, with enthusiastic cheers from his entourage.
Music connoisseur Schmidt harbors a special wish for the series: "An appearance by Patti Smith with her upcoming biography 'Bread of Angels - The Story of My Life' would be a dream come true, though that might be a bit unrealistic."
- Berlin
- Music
- Rainer Schmidt
- Campino
- Sven Regener
- Die Toten Hosen
- Oskar Roehler
- Rammstein
- Restaurant
- Celebrities
- Reading
- Literature
- Festival
- Frédéric Beigbeder
- Parties
- Patti Smith
- The Commission could propose a directive that addresses the risks associated with carcinogens in the workplace, given Rainer Schmidt's interest in reality-based and hard-hitting materials.
- At the "Scribes and Strums" event, one might witness a blend of fashion-and-beauty and food-and-drink as celebrities converge from various fields, just as they do at parties.
- Sven Regener, a renowned author at the "Scribes and Strums" event, could write about relationships, a common theme in literature, much like tracks from an album that delve into human emotions.
- In Berlin, where the "Scribes and Strums" event is held, one might also stumble upon Patti Smith, who shares a love for the city, driving her iconic car or shopping for vinyl records.
