Literary day in Berlin – Kama reads, Vol 2 or KAMA 9

On the second Saturday of November, which coincided with the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Estonian Cultural Society KAMA in Berlin invited local Estonians to the k-Salon Gallery in Bergmannkiez, in the Kreuzberg district to meet with visiting Estonian writers Imbi Paju and Piret Jaaks. 

Imbi Paju is not only a writer; she is also a documentary filmmaker and essayist. Her work has been highly recognised in both Estonia and abroad. Piret Jaaks is known mostly as a playwright but she has also written prose, children’s books, screenplays and literary criticism.

The KAMA Literary Day began with the children of the Estonian School in Berlin. Paju presented her successful book for the whole family titled Kadrioru aednik (The Gardener of Kadriorg), and Piret Jaaks read from her books Emme draakon (Mommy’s Dragon) and Öölaps (Child of the Night). After reading and listening, the children could draw what they had heard. A cultural walk around Bergmannkiez led by Liis Kolle, a theatre producer and long-time resident of Berlin, was exciting and educational, offering fascinating facts about the area, as well as mystical encounters.

The undisputed culmination of the literary day was the talk held in the evening, moderated by Maret Ferrante and Aira Paschke from the Estonian Cultural Society in Berlin. The meeting with the readers centred on Paju’s praised biotherapeutic work Kirjanduskliinik (Literary Clinic) and Jaaks’ historical novel Taeva tütred (Daughters of Heaven), which is based on the life of Estonian-born missionary Hedwig Büll and last year won third place at the novel competition organised by the Estonian Writers’ Union. 

The subtitle of the literary evening ‘What does it mean to be human’ opened the discussion on what is important about being human. This idea is prevalent in the works of both authors. This ranges from what a child needs to grow into a healthy and empathetic person, to how finding meaning while going through difficulties is a vital part of being human. The fellow feeling raised in Jaaks’ book is undoubtedly relevant today. The question ‘Who am I and where am I going?’, raised in both books, undoubtedly spoke to many people in the audience. The question of belonging must be close to the hearts of many Estonian living abroad.

The KAMA Literary Day attracted Estonians from all generations. It was a particular joy that the guests included Estonian Ambassador to Germany Marika Linntam and Estonia’s Cultural Attaché Merit Kopli. The KAMA Estonian Cultural Association in Berlin will definitely keep up the good reading work.

Aira Paschke
Estonian Cultural Society in Berlin