Lectures & Discussions, Readings

Conversations About Home: Is This Still—or Already—My Country?

Monday, 31/08/2026 / 07:00 PM - 12:00 AM / phanTECHNIKUM Wismar

Series of Talks Across Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

"Hello, Wismar—let’s talk about home." With a major series of discussions across Mecklenburg-Vorpommern ahead of the state elections, PEN Berlin invites the public to debates on home and democracy. Three guests from different walks of life come together—and engage with the audience. Here, the audience isn’t just an afterthought—it’s the third guest: It discusses, challenges, adds to the conversation, and plays a decisive role in shaping the evening. An open conversation about what holds society together and what threatens to tear it apart.

“We’re inviting very different people to talk about home—both personally and politically,” said Deniz Yücel, spokesperson for PEN Berlin. “These things cannot be separated; one’s personal sense of home is also connected to whether one feels safe in public spaces, fears not being able to find affordable housing, or worries about one’s economic future.”

These questions arise differently in large cities than in small towns, and with different nuances in eastern Germany than in western Germany. But they arise everywhere and concern the people of this country.

Panelists: Gregor Sander (author, “Troja, später Nachmittag”), Ronen Steinke (columnist, “Meinungsfreiheit”), and the audience. The evening will be moderated by Martina Scheller (journalist, NDR)

For more information on PEN’s discussion series, click here.

All statements without guarantee.