DEG recently hosted Gabriela Wiener, a Peruvian author and journalist, at a reading event during the lit.COLOGNE 2025 international literature festival. Wiener's book, "Undiscovered," which was nominated for the International Booker Prize 2024, offers an autobiographical exploration into her family history.
The novel, published in German a few weeks prior to the festival, follows Wiener's journey in tracing the actions of her great-great-grandfather, Charles Wiener. This 19th-century Austrian-French explorer collected numerous huacos—indigenous portrait ceramics—still found in European museums. Gabriela Wiener’s narrative delves into these historical acts, weighing on themes of identity, colonialism, and racism.
The reading, marking the 25th anniversary of lit.COLOGNE, was moderated by author and journalist Hernán D. Caro, drawing a full house at the DEG atrium with around 400 attendees. Wiener’s interaction with Caro displayed her humor and quick wit, particularly when she referred to her ancestor as a "grave robber," and herself as "a mixture of huaco and huacero."
The evening featured a performance by actress Jasmin Tabatabai, who read passages from the novel's German edition, expressing personal admiration: “I know I should remain neutral but I find the book fabulous.” Hernán D. Caro reflected on the event, noting that, despite unanswered questions, it sparked ongoing dialogue.
DEG's commitment to cultural exchange is evidenced in its longstanding partnership with lit.COLOGNE. An active entity in Peru since 2007, DEG also hosted Ukrainian novelist Yevgenia Belorusets at last year's festival.