When does the reading take place?

The event is scheduled for 06.10.2026 at 19:00.

Where does the event take place?

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

What is the admission price?

The regular admission is 10 Euro, reduced 8 Euro.

Is there a moderation?

Yes, according to the event page, the reading will be moderated by Thomas Böhm.

What is the content about?

The focus is on Carsten Gansel's book about the disappearance of GDR literature and the question of its reception after 1990.

Is the event accessible for people with disabilities?

On the official event page, there is a note on the accessibility of the building; further details should be checked before the visit.

Carsten Gansel Opens in Potsdam the Suppressed History of GDR Literature

Name: Reading and Discussion with Carsten Gansel "Erased? How the Literature of the GDR Disappeared"
Start: 2026-10-06T21:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-10-06T23:00:00+02:00
Location: Stadt- und Landesbibliothek Potsdam

An Evening About Memory, Loss, and the Power of Literature

Carsten Gansel brings to the stage in Potsdam a topic that goes far beyond a classic reading: the question of why so many authors from the GDR have disappeared from cultural memory. In his reading with discussion, he combines literary scholarly precision with the urgency of a public discourse on canon, memory, and reception. The book Erased? How the Literature of the GDR Disappeared is published by Reclam and contextualizes what has often been shortened or ideologically interpreted after 1990. ([potsdamtourismus.de](https://www.potsdamtourismus.de/event/lesung-und-gespraech-mit-carsten-gansel-ausradiert-wie-die-literatur-der-ddr-verschwand))

Between Literary Analysis and Social Friction

Gansel not only reads from a nonfiction book but also opens a space for interpretation. Those interested in GDR literature, German-German literary history, and the question of cultural visibility will experience a concentrated author encounter with high linguistic and intellectual density. Central names such as Christa Wolf, Uwe Johnson, Brigitte Reimann, Volker Braun, and Jenny Erpenbeck stand out, which Gansel locates in the context of a memory culture that is still contested today. ([potsdamtourismus.de](https://www.potsdamtourismus.de/event/lesung-und-gespraech-mit-carsten-gansel-ausradiert-wie-die-literatur-der-ddr-verschwand))

An Author with Academic Authority

Carsten Gansel, born in 1955 in Güstrow, teaches as a professor of Modern German Literature and German Literary and Media Didactics at Justus Liebig University Giessen. He is a member of the PEN Center Germany and chair of the jury for the Uwe Johnson Literary Prize as well as the Christa Wolf Society. His well-known works include the Brigitte Reimann biography I Am So Greedy for Life and numerous studies on GDR, contemporary, and memory literature. ([potsdamtourismus.de](https://www.potsdamtourismus.de/event/lesung-und-gespraech-mit-carsten-gansel-ausradiert-wie-die-literatur-der-ddr-verschwand))

Reading Atmosphere in the Education Forum

The Potsdam City and Regional Library in the Education Forum on the Canal provides the perfect setting for an evening that combines conversational culture and literary quality. The location is centrally located in the city center, connected to public transport, and is one of the culturally vibrant addresses in the city. The organizer mentions moderation by Thomas Böhm and focuses on Gansel's book about the disappearance of East German literature after 1990. ([potsdamtourismus.de](https://www.potsdamtourismus.de/event/lesung-und-gespraech-mit-carsten-gansel-ausradiert-wie-die-literatur-der-ddr-verschwand))

What Visitors Can Expect

A reading with a discussion character is expected, which combines historical analysis, literary analysis, and personal authority. Anyone wanting to understand GDR literature, book history, literary reception, and the broader lines of German memory policy will find here a stimulating, contentious, and educationally rich format. The live conversation promises new perspectives on canon issues and the cultural significance of East German literature. ([potsdamtourismus.de](https://www.potsdamtourismus.de/event/lesung-und-gespraech-mit-carsten-gansel-ausradiert-wie-die-literatur-der-ddr-verschwand))

Conclusion: This evening is aimed at literature enthusiasts who want more than just a simple book presentation. Those wanting to experience the debate on GDR literature, cultural memory, and literary rehabilitation firsthand should attend the event live. ([potsdamtourismus.de](https://www.potsdamtourismus.de/event/lesung-und-gespraech-mit-carsten-gansel-ausradiert-wie-die-literatur-der-ddr-verschwand))