When does the event begin?

The evening begins on 08.10.2026 at 19:00. Beforehand, arriving with exchange is possible from 18:00.

Is the admission free of charge?

Yes, the event is free of charge according to official information.

Will there be a conversation with the author?

Yes, after the reading there will be a moderated conversation with Knut Elstermann and an open question round with Eric Wrede.

Where does the reading take place?

The venue is the City and State Library Potsdam in the Education Forum, Am Kanal 47, 14467 Potsdam.

Is the event suitable for literature enthusiasts and beginners?

Yes, the format is aimed at a broad audience and combines literary reading, conversation culture, and social context.

Eric Wrede reads in Potsdam: An evening about death, grief, and language

Name: Eric Wrede reads and speaks for World Hospice Day in Potsdam
Start: 2026-10-08T21:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-10-08T23:00:00+02:00
Location: Stadt- und Landesbibliothek Potsdam

An evening that goes beyond reading: Eric Wrede in Potsdam

For World Hospice Day, the City and State Library Potsdam invites you to a special reading and conversation with Eric Wrede. The well-known funeral director, author, and podcaster combines literary clarity with a rare openness in dealing with dying, death, and grief. Thus, a literary experience is created in the Education Forum that resonates: thoughtful, human, and surprisingly lifelike.

Reading, conversation, and open questions

The evening begins with a reading from Wrede's books. Following that, he will speak with moderator and author Knut Elstermann about the cultural significance of an honest conversation culture surrounding the end of life. The format combines author encounters, readings, and dialogue into a concentrated, intense atmosphere in which literary quality and social relevance closely come together.

Eric Wrede: Voice of a contemporary grief culture

Eric Wrede is regarded as one of the defining voices when it comes to contemporary engagements with death and grief. His book The End became a bestseller and was adapted into a film by ZDF as Dying for Beginners. The documentary Death is a Bastard also made his work accessible to a wide audience. He regularly writes as a columnist and expert for Der Spiegel, Focus, and Berliner Zeitung.

The Location: Education, Encounter, and Calm Presence

The City and State Library Potsdam in the Education Forum provides the right setting for this evening. At Am Kanal 47, it is a place where literature, knowledge, and exchange come together. The central location in the heart of Potsdam, its connection to public transport, and good accessibility make the venue particularly pleasant for visitors looking for a conscious, calm, and stimulating cultural format.

Conversation culture instead of distance

Especially strong on this evening is the openness of the format: After a break, there will be a question round where personal questions are explicitly welcomed. The true power of this event lies in this. It is not the distance to the topic but the proximity to the experience that shapes the tone. Those who experience literature not just as text but as a resonance space for contemporary issues will find an evening with depth and impact here.

Conclusion

The reading and conversation with Eric Wrede promise a smart, touching, and culturally relevant evening for World Hospice Day. Visitors will experience literature as conversation, grief as a topic without fear, and an author encounter with great presence. Those seeking an evening with meaning, language, and attitude should experience this event live.