Literary highlights in December

The highlight of the evening, which blends literature and music, is the acclaimed novel by Irish author Claire Keegan. This moving story is set in 1980s Ireland and explores themes such as compassion, morality and heroism.

With just a few words, Claire Keegan creates a whole world. In an inimitable way, *Small Things Like These* tells of complicity and shared guilt. It explores how people ignore the horror in their midst in order to carry on with their daily lives, and how it is possible to do the right thing.

Accompanying this is music from the rich repertoire of Irish songs by Irish composer Shirley Grimes, which lends even greater depth to the text read by actress Wanda Wylowa. The evening comprises two 40-minute sets.

Andrej Murašov is a musician who also writes novels. And a novelist who also makes music. And sometimes the two come together. For instance, when the sky is too loud. The characters in his coming-of-age story come from different cultural and social backgrounds, but what they all have in common is that they are searching for their place in life and society. Somewhere between Berlin, Sarajevo and Bielefeld.

For one evening, Nicola Schneider and Isabelle Vonlanthen, directors of the Zurich Literaturhaus, will be presenting their favourites from the 2025 winter book season. They will be actively supported by Mathieu Bertholet, the new artistic director of the Theater Neumarkt. So if you’re still looking for the perfect read to curl up with on your sofa at home, this evening comes highly recommended. With a bookstall and Christmas drinks.