Herta Müller and Cecilia Dreymüller

The work of Nobel Prize winner Herta Müller uncovers the memory of Eastern European dictatorships and interweaves her own personal story into it to remind us of the value of freedom.  Rooted in the reality of linguistic and cultural minorities, Müller questions essentialist notions of nation and identity and advocates for a plural, diverse and open European culture that transcends political borders. At a time when Europe remains mired in the war in Ukraine, Müller's voice invites us to reflect on the roots of violence and to find words to explain and heal it.

In this conversation with Cecilia Dreymüller, editor and translator, we delve into the Romanian-German novelist’s literary universe and her ability to liberate voices as she transforms them into a possible space of resistance.