Christine Westermann & Mona Meziane "Zwei Seiten - Der Podcast über Bücher x Harbour Front Literaturfestival Hamburg

Two stacks of books, two generations, two very different ways of looking at literature: In their WDR podcast “Zwei Seiten – Der Podcast über Bücher,” Christine Westermann and Mona Ameziane talk about books that mean something to them—and about the questions those books raise. It’s about good stories, but not just about plot, characters, and style. It’s also about everyday life, memories, families, friendships, fashion, pain, comfort, and conflict—in short, everything that suddenly finds its way onto the table next to the book while you’re reading.

The appeal of the format lies in the fact that no pre-formed opinions are presented here. Westermann and Ameziane bring different reading experiences, temperaments, and generational perspectives to the table. Sometimes they get carried away, sometimes they disagree, and often this gives rise to the kind of conversation that literature needs: not reverent, not academically insular, but open, curious, and direct.

At the Harbour Front Literature Festival, the podcast becomes a live stage performance. Live, in front of an audience, with recommendations, objections, and digressions. Christine Westermann and Mona Ameziane demonstrate what books can do today when you don’t just read them alone, but discuss them together. The podcast is an invitation to go home after the event with a longer reading list…

For decades,Christine Westermannhas been one of the defining voices in German literary outreach; as a host, journalist, and podcaster,Mona Amezianereaches an audience—a young audience—that sees books as part of contemporary life.

In 2024, both were awarded the Julius Campe Prize for “Zwei Seiten.”