Freedom, Ancestry & Care - Picador Guest Professorship

Das sagt der/die Veranstalter:in:

Join us for an intimate "Talk with the Artist" featuring our current Picador Guest Professor, the acclaimed U.S. author Phillip B. Williams. This exclusive conversation provides a unique opportunity to delve into the mind of Williams as he shares the inspirations and insights that influence his powerful writing. Hosted by Senthuran Varatharajah, this event promises a deep and engaging experience you don't want to miss.

Writing can be an act of care – care for the words we choose, the histories they carry, and the people they touch. Phillip B. Williams connects ancestry and freedom in his work, while building new paths on old grounds.

His newest novel OURS, set in the 1830s, unfolds in a fictional Southern U.S. city. A place shielded by magic that becomes a sanctuary for the formerly enslaved – a refuge built on resilience, hope, and the power of community. Here writing becomes a tool for breaking free from limitations, enabling the author to craft a story that is rooted in history while also reimagining the past in a meaningful way.

This creative process extends beyond personal exploration, inviting readers to reflect on their own heritage and recognize their connection to the world around them.

Let’s dive into the transformative power of poetry and explore how these themes shape the creative process.

The Picador Guest Professorship is brought to you by Uni Leipzig, DAAD Artist Program, Picador and Holtzbrinck Berlin. This Event is a cooperation with EDIT Magazine and Literaturhaus Leipzig.

When: June 17, 7 PM

Where: Garden of Literaturhaus Leipzig 🌳💜

Admission free! Save your ticket soon!

About Phillip:

Phillip B. Williams, born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, is an acclaimed poet and author of two highly regarded poetry collections, "Thief in the Interior" and "Mutiny". and a professor of creative writing at New York University. Through both his writing and teaching, Williams continues to make a significant impact on contemporary literature. His work has earned widespread recognition, receiving multiple prestigious awards, including the American Book Award.

About Senthuran:

Born in 1984 in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, studied philosophy, Protestant theology and comparative religious and cultural studies in Marburg, Berlin and London. His first novel ‘Vor der Zunahme der Zeichen’ was published by S. Fischer Verlag in 2016. His second novel ‘Rot (Hunger)’ was published in 2022. His novels have received numerous awards.