A book addresses the question of how to stay in dialogue after October 7th – Munich

“How are you?” This question opens an evening on the book “Speaking Despite This” at the Jewish Museum. Last week it was addressed to one of the editors, Mirjam Zadoff, and she admits: “I’m incredibly nervous.” Zadoff is not alone on the podium in front of a packed audience at the book launch: Hannan Salamat, director of the Zurich Institute for Interreligious Dialogue and one of the 21 authors of the book, sat next to her. Her hat reads: “Remember the present.”

It is more than clear that this is not an arbitrary fashion decision, but a clearly made statement. Because on this evening there will not only be a reading, but above all a conversation – like again on November 19th in a different round at the Munich Book Show. A conversation about the Hamas massacre and the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, about criticism of the political approach in Germany and the associated racist and anti-Semitic currents, which must be prevented by all means possible. And last but not least, through a social distance characterized by caution and rejection.

“Speak anyway” – a title that should be understood as a suggestion and an invitation. And an invitation: follow us. Because, as Mirjam Zadoff makes clear, the publication is not a “debate book”, but rather a compilation of essays from different perspectives, which are formed from subjective experiences, thoughts and visions. Each point of view has its own space. A privilege that she, together with co-editors Lena Gorelik and Miryam Schellbach, consciously bestowed on the writers, because they realize how rare such an opportunity is today.

Zadoff and Salamat set an example this evening by speaking transparently about how they perceived the interpersonal atmosphere in Germany after October 7th that made them shy away from dialogue. Then the first step was to write a book about it. And that will be welcomed with open arms. Accompanied by approving nods from the audience, the authors talk about the urge to position themselves and the gaps in our society. And, accompanied by a few lines from the book, they give careful instructions on how we could reach out to each other again. Good to know: It’s part of disagreeing sometimes. “Everyone had their own pain points in the book,” says Zadoff about the creation process. “But that has to be endured.”

What’s going on in the theater?

:Big topics on small stages

In November, the independent theaters in Munich look beyond Bavaria’s horizons, dealing with travel and farewell, but also with the tax office.

Last but not least, another ingredient is unfortunately missing that makes it easier to get out of the radio silence: “Money!” was Hannan Salamat’s prompt answer to the question of what it takes to stay in the exchange. Finally, clear trends emerged in the cultural sector, which was finding itself in an increasingly delicate financial situation: Zadoff also emphasizes that the demand for cultural and political education and spaces for discussion is increasing, while those responsible and initiators are sometimes living on a subsistence level due to a lack of resources sailed towards.

In short: If the state doesn’t want to, the people themselves will have to pitch in. And form a community that stays in conversation, endures disagreements and does not lose sight of the common goal of a more cosmopolitan society. A society that still speaks.

speak, with Lena Gorelik, Paula Villa Braslavsky and Mirjam Zadoff, Tuesday, November 19th, Munich Book Show, Haus der Kunst, 7 p.m., muenchner-buecherschau.de