Reading marathon from works by Stefan Heym

Chemnitz is reviving the work of writer Stefan Heym (1913-2001) with a reading marathon at numerous locations. On Friday, Heym's books will be read at numerous locations in the city: in the City Library, the Opera House, the Gunzenhauser Museum, the Schönherrfabrik and the St. Jakobi City Church, as well as at the Red Tower, the Kaßberg Prison Memorial and the Weltecho. The event is part of Chemnitz's program as European Capital of Culture 2025.

According to the International Stefan Heym Society, the "Heym Journey" is intended to help people follow in the author's footsteps and get to know him as the person behind his works. Heym was not only a writer, but also a voice of reason in troubled times, emphasized Chairwoman Petra Seedorff: "An admonisher against opportunism and an unwavering advocate of the truth - even when it was uncomfortable."

Important voice of opposition literature in the GDR

Sefan Heym was born Helmut Flieg in Chemnitz in 1913, grew up in a German-Jewish family and later fled from the National Socialists to the USA, returning to the GDR in 1952. There he became an important voice in opposition literature and was politically active in reunified Germany. He is known for novels such as "Five Days in June" about the popular uprising in the GDR in 1953, "Schwarzenberg" and "The King David Report".

In addition to readings, there will be other Stefan Heym-related events until Sunday. These include a city tour in the footsteps of the young Heym via Kaßberg, a writing workshop, a concert, a panel discussion and a film screening.