LIT – Literature Centre Hamburg
In order to promote literature and its dissemination in the public sphere, the Literature Centre was founded in 1974 by Hamburg-based authors.
For a literary association, more than 50 years of existence is already a remarkable achievement. In addition, throughout all these years, LIT has been consistently present in Hamburg’s literary scene—like few other literary organisations—through an extensive monthly programme of events.
The LIT welcomes new members!
“The consistently successful history of the association is owed exclusively to Hamburg-based authors, who—over the years and in changing constellations—have formed the board and shaped the programme work of the organisation.”
“Literature in Hamburg”, edited by Jürgen Abel, published by the Hamburg Cultural Authority
Literature Centre Hamburg with New Executive Director
The Literature Centre Hamburg e.V., known as LIT, is reorganising its leadership: as of January 1st, Annika Dorau has taken over as Executive Director of the institution. She succeeds Heidemarie Ott, who significantly shaped the Literature Centre in this role over many years.
Annika Dorau studied literature, art and media studies as well as design in Konstanz, Tours, and Kiel, and lives in Hamburg. As a member of the collective found intranslation, she co-organised, among other projects, the international reading series Hafenlesung and Westopia – Festival for a Multilingual Literature of the Future. Further positions led her to the Künstler:innenhaus Lauenburg, where she developed and implemented interdisciplinary literary events. Her work combines curatorial experience and conceptual boldness with strong organisational skills and also includes press and public relations as well as fundraising. Through her diverse activities, Annika Dorau is well connected within numerous networks.
“In recent years, I have conceptualised and realised many literary events, working closely with authors, translators, publishers, institutions, and associations. This practical experience shapes my understanding of literature as a collaborative process, driven by intellectual curiosity, reliable cooperation, and good organisation. I am very much looking forward to my new role at the Literature Centre, which I would like to preserve—together with the programme board and in exchange with its members—as a place of literary engagement and social reflection, while also developing it in an open and forward-looking way.”
– Annika Dorau
“We are convinced that we have found exactly the right person in Annika Dorau for the future tasks of LIT and for the development of new ideas, and we are very much looking forward to working with her.”
– Alexander Häusser (Chair of the Board)
© Karine Bravo
Board
Alexander Häusser (Chair), Carola Ebeling (Deputy Chair),
Patricia Paweletz, Jana Halamickova, Heidemarie Ott, Thomas Plaichinger
Office
Annika Dorau (Executive Director) and Kirsten Netzow (School Readings)
Contact address: Literature Centre Hamburg at the Literaturhaus, Schwanenwik 38, 22087 Hamburg, Germany
Phone +49 40 227 92 03 and +49 40 207 69 037, Fax +49 40 229 15 01, Email: lit@lit-hamburg.de
ALEXANDER HÄUSER
PATRICIA PAWELETZ
Patricia Paweletz studied German literature and theatre studies in Hamburg, as well as acting at the Max Reinhardt Seminar in Vienna. Her short stories have been published by Rowohlt, Insel, and Jüdischer Verlag/Suhrkamp. Her biographical non-fiction and novels have most recently been published by PalmArtPress, Berlin. As a systemic therapist, she works with transgenerational themes.
THOMAS PLAICHINGER
Studied literature and theatre studies, literary and film critic, writes novels, short stories, theatre plays, and libretti in French and German, member of the Société des Gens de Lettres de France, recipient of various scholarships.
CAROLA EBELING
JANA HALAMICKOVA
HEIDEMARIE OTT
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