schooLit 2026: Armani Padda - Bevor der Himmel reißt

The feeLit – Heidelberg International Literature Festival will be making its second appearance at halle02 with its authors from July 2 to 5. Our festival venue will be all about books and writing. This year, feeLit will showcase national and international literary stars and bring authors together with their audiences. 

schooLit 2026: Armani Padda – Before the Sky Tears

Moderator: Karin Vach 

A moving young-adult novel for readers ages 14 and up about migration, queer themes, friendship, and the courage to be visible and true to oneself:

Piesnitz in Saxony, a place where you stand out if you’re different. Dilly and Heer, both 17, both children of Indian immigrant families, both Sikhs. Their parents run the only Indian takeout restaurants and live directly across the street from each other in Wittstock-Ost, a neighborhood in Piesnitz, a town in the heart of Saxony. And yet they’ve never exchanged a word. After her father’s death, Heer loses her footing—until she suddenly meets Dilly at a party. They grow closer and join a youth group together that’s committed to bringing the neighborhood closer together, strengthening the community, and standing up against the right-wing hatred in their town. Amid right-wing violence, everyday racism, and family conflicts, they learn for the first time what solidarity and standing firm mean—and that home is more than just a place that others define for you.

The workshops and readings are free for Heidelberg schools and take place at halle02. Register atfeeLit@heidelberg.de. Space is limited.

Good to Know

• Onlycashless payments(debit card, credit card, contactless) are accepted at our venue:halle02.de/cashless
• Seated event, open seating
• Local organizer: FeeLit – Heidelberg International Literature Festival