Bestselling authors in conversation: Faith, love, hope in Potsdam!

Bestselling authors in conversation: Faith, love, hope in Potsdam!

As part of the LIT:potsdam literature festival, which takes place in Potsdam between July 1st and 6th, 2025, the two best-selling authors Helga Schubert and Daniela Krien had the opportunity to discuss central themes in their work. In a sold-out Orangery Palace in Sanssouci Park, the two writers spoke with their interlocutor Anne-Dore Krohn about sources of strength and turning points in life under the title “Faith, Love, Hope”.

Both authors were influenced by life in the GDR, and their personal experiences flow deeply into their works. Schubert, who was born in 1940 and received the Bachmann Prize for her work “On Getting Up” at the age of 80, often addresses in her writings the influence of faith and a sense of family on her life and her words. Her current book “Today: A Book of Hours of Love” has 272 pages and is published by dtv Verlag.

The authors and their writing

Daniela Krien, born in 1975, is the author of bestsellers such as “Love in Emergency” and “The Fire”. Her novel “Someday we will tell each other everything” was even made into a film. Krien, who lives in Leipzig, often brings central questions about life and human relationships into her works. Her latest book “My Third Life” has 304 pages and is also published by Diogenes.

A central theme of the event was the role of religion in the everyday lives of the two authors. These play a significant role in dealing with moments of despair and finding time for creative writing. Schubert and Krien reflect on how their faith shapes not only their personal lives but also their literature.

The festival program

The festival's motto is “The Future of the Past” and offers a diverse program curated by literary critic Denis Scheck. Georgi Gospodinow will kick things off on July 1st with his novel “Time Refuge” in the Hans Otto Theater. Further highlights include the reading by Katja Lange-Müller on July 2nd and a discussion about adaptation strategies in the context of life on July 3rd.

On July 4th, Navid Kermani will talk about his travels through East Africa, before the festival ends on July 6th with a book festival and the awarding of the Theodor Fontane Prize. The Orangery Palace in Sanssouci Park will serve as the festival's central venue, while the Villa Jacobs Park on Jungfernsee will not be used this year but will be part of the program again in 2026. Tickets are sold via the festival's official website, and this year for the first time there are VIP tickets and inexpensive listening tickets for certain events.

The LIT:potsdam Festival promises not only a reflection on literary topics, but also a deep examination of the role of faith and hope in the life of a writer.

For more information visit the official pages: Radio Three and Maz Online.