–         Entrance is free and green tea will be served. A 2€ donation is suggested and would be welcome.

–        You can also reach me via Facebook.

I have an address under my name “Ian Bourgeot” and I would gladly become your friend

LITERATURE MEETS THE GASTRONOMY with Birgit Vanderbeke

What is the psychological role of gastronomy in the literature? Would we still like our favourite books if there were no culinary element in them? What is the role of blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) in a novel telling the story of a German family that has escaped from DDR to West? 

LURRA Editions, a Finnish publishing house, will publish Simpukka-ateria (Das Muschelessen) – The diner of the Blue Mussel – a novel by Birgit Vanderbeke, a German writer (b. 1956) this September. 

Das Muschelessen was highly successful among  readers and critics in Germany when it was published in 1990. The novel has been translated into 13 languages and has received several awards – among them, the Ingeborg Bachman Prize d in 1990.

It is the story of a family – that has escaped from DDR to West before the fall of Berlin Wall and spends one special evening at home in the early 60s. The mother and two teenage children are waiting for the father to return home from his business trip. To celebrate her husband’s home coming, the mother prepares his favourite dish –  blue mussels . While waiting for the father, who is late, the family  starts to analyse the father’s authority. Meanwhile, the meal itself – the blue mussels – is cooling down and that leads in turn to a series of unexpected consequences.

The languages of this event will be international: English, French, German, Spanish…The compére of the event will be Rax Rinnekangas, a cosmopolitan Finnish author, photographer and filmmaker.

Welcome!