Artur Becker: Ein roter Ziegelstein für Izabella. Buchpremiere

Two boys on a secret mission: It’s summer in Poland, and finally, finally, they’re going to meet the love of their lives. That’s what the waves of the myth-shrouded swimming lake whisper to them as they set off by bus from the dreary Masurian provincial town in July 1983. But where are they to find their beloved when the world at Morena Beach consists only of fishermen, West German tourists on a grand Eastern European safari, and empty beer bottles? But even under socialism, silent prayers are answered, and suddenly, as if by magic, a girl falls from the sky… and Konrad nearly faints.

Polish-German author Artur Becker has created, in *A Red Brick for Izabella*, a delightfully funny, romantic retro novel about a first love that comes across as punk and seemingly super-cool—yet remains incredibly shy and tender. At the same time, the book is a journey back to the exciting ’80s, when the Polish struggle for freedom turned all of Europe upside down.

Moderator: Christoph Schröder.