Mieko Kawakami at ILB 2025: German Premiere of the Yellow House
The acclaimed Japanese author returns to Berlin for a talk, reading, and Q&A
September 02nd, 2025
On September 18, Japanese writer Mieko Kawakami will be one of the highlights of the 25th International Literature Festival Berlin (ILB). After appearing as a digital guest in 2022, Kawakami now returns in person for the German premiere of her latest novel, Das gelbe Haus (The Yellow House, translated by Katja Busson).
Praised by the New York Times as “a literary vertical star and a feminist icon,” Kawakami has established herself as one of the most influential voices in contemporary Japanese literature, especially since the international success of Breasts and Eggs. Her novels delve into bullying, beauty ideals, and the struggle for female self-determination, combining sharp insight with subtle humor while questioning women’s roles in Japanese society.
Her new novel follows Hana, a seventeen-year-old girl growing up in poverty, longing for independence, solidarity, and identity, while facing the dangers of sliding into a criminal parallel world. Reflecting on her inspiration, Kawakami explained to the New York Times: “I wanted to find out what a ‘Breaking Bad’ story looks like if it’s not such a macho drama.”
The event will feature Kawakami in conversation, with excerpts read by Marie Bloching, moderated by Miriam Zeh, and interpreted by Stephanie Haschke and Mai Rapsch. The session will be held in Japanese with simultaneous German translation, as well as interpretation into German Sign Language (DGS).
Following the reading, the Japanese-German Center Berlin (JDZB) invites the audience to a small reception.
References:
- https://jdzb.de/de/veranstaltungen/mieko-kawakami-auf-dem-25-internationalen-literaturfestival-berlin-ilb
- https://literaturfestival.com/events/mieko-kawakami-das-gelbe-haus-2/
- https://www.youtube.com/live/V-reAESlGzk
