The House of Literature and its restaurant stand in a large town residence is set back from Fasanenstraße in Charlottenburg. The House of Literature, known in German as Literaturhaus Berlin was founded in 1986 as a venue for public literary events including symposia and exhibitions. The purpose of this institution, founded before the fall of the Berlin Wall,  was created to promote contemporary literature in the western sector. In 1991, Literaturhaus hosted an exhibition about literary censorship in the German Democratic Republic, on the other side of the Berlin Wall. The focus today is on modern literature, both German and International literature, with special focus on the political conflicts that impact the development of the literary world. This world includes poetry, essays, novels, diaries, letters, and specialized books. Included in the broad scope of literary interest are scientific surveys about such subjects as aesthetics, sociology, history and science. As many as 90 different programs annually involve authors, critics, speakers, mediators, conversational partners, translators, and actors participating in events that involve lectures, readings and discussions. Henry and I were never involved in these events, but found the restaurant to be an ideal place to have breakfast, or to pause for tea later in the day. We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast in the Winter Garden, a glassed-in porch, with our friends from Hamburg, Dr. Peter Mertens and his wonderful wife, Andrea, whom we first met with their children on holiday in Vietnam in 2009.

PHOTOS: Top Three: The ambience of Literaturehaus Berlin. Bottom Two: 1. Exterior view of Literaturhaus. A glassed-in porch known as the Winter Garden offers a lovely place to dine. 2. Detail: Ceiling design of the mansion.

JOURDAN ARPELLE-ZIEGLER                                        BACK TO MAP  PAGE