75 Years of Waldhof: Conversations About Trees. Poems on Democracy – Reading and Discussion

Democracy is up for debate; it must be shaped, transformed—and in times like these, even defended. It needs advocates—and perseverance, a courageous spirit of dissent. The anthology *Conversations About Trees* features the voices of some seventy contemporary poets. They provoke thought; they take a stand: quietly, poetically—yet also decisively, combatively, and powerfully. They are concerned about the eroding social margins and the general shift to the right: here at home—and throughout Europe. And they all speak out against violence, hatred, war, corrupt language, and social division. They all stand up for democracy. Editor Thomas Weiß (Baden-Baden) will read (along with other authors), present the anthology, and engage in conversation with the audience. The event is free; we welcome small donations. About the author: Thomas Weiß, born in 1961, is a Protestant theologian, author, editor, and member of PEN Germany, the Society for Contemporary Poetry, and the Association for the Promotion of Writers in Baden-Württemberg; he lives in Baden-Baden.