Reading about island tourism: nostalgia or future? Discover more!

Reading about island tourism: nostalgia or future? Discover more!

Goethestraße 31, 45128 Essen, Deutschland - On July 9, 2025, an exciting event will take place in the Essen Cultural Science Institute (KWI), which deals with the effects of tourism on island rooms. The reading and the subsequent conversation, moderated by Laura M. Reiling, offer a deep insight into the topic of the island (about) tourism.

The event is free of charge and does not require registration. The Gartensaal of the KWI, located at Goethestrasse 31 in Essen, becomes a double reading with the authors Kristin Höller and Thea Mengeler. The focus is on the literary processing of current challenges that insular areas experience through permanent tourism.

literary perspectives on tourism

In the works of Höller and Mengeler, various aspects of the island life are discussed. Kristin Höller's novel "Previous" (2024, Suhrkamp) draws parallels to nostalgic memories of the island life, while Thea Mengeler's "after the ferries" (2024, Wallstein) describes the reality of a life after tourism on an abandoned island from different perspectives. The novel “Zur See” by Dörte Hansen (2022) will also be under discussion and illustrates the negative effects of tourism.

The authors will raise questions that are of central importance for many islanders and travelers: What remains of or on the islands? What can the future handling of tourism look like? And to what extent is the longing for island landscapes a "Guilty Pleasure" despite their tourist overload?

a room for discussion and exchange

This reading should not only present the literary aspects, but also create a platform for the dialogue. The event offers visitors the opportunity to contribute their own perspectives and experiences and to actively participate in the discussion.

For more information about the event, interested parties can visit the KWI page: idw-online.de or read about the event on news.idw-online.de .

The topic of island (about) tourism is not only of literary importance, but also raises questions that are of great relevance for the future of tourist hotspots.