Penguin Random House | Munich, 05/21/2024

Under The Sign Of Free Speech

Penguin Random House Verlagsgruppe and Mediacampus Frankfurt have reopened the “Penguin Random House Libresso” – a place for exchange, celebrations and discussions. Penguin author Hasnain Kazim read from his new book to conclude “Free Speech Week”.

On May 10, there were two reasons to celebrate at Mediacampus in Frankfurt. In addition to the reopening of the newly renovated “Penguin Random House Libresso”, a coffee house with books, newspapers and magazines, the conclusion of “Free Speech Week” stood in the spotlight of a festive evening event. Penguin author Hasnan Kazim impressed the almost 130 guests with his reading and a discussion round with his intelligent and humorous dealing with angry mail and hatred.

In her welcome speech, Monika Kolb, Managing Director of the Mediacampus, explained that the Libresso aims to be a place for exchange, celebrations and discussions, and she was happy with the comprehensive renovation of the central meeting point on the campus before making an appeal for democracy and the importance of the upcoming European elections to the students, book dealers and guests from the publishing house. The reading from “Post von Karlheinz” by bestselling author Hasnain Kazim was the evening’s highlight. In the following discussion with Rebecca Prager, Head of Corporate Communications Penguin Random House Verlagsgruppe, Hasnain Kazim spoke about his experiences with hate-filled mail from readers, his view of free speech and its limits in a serious and, at the same time, entertaining way.

“Let’s talk!”

To conclude the evening, Hasnain Kazim gave a short insight into his newest book “Deutschlandtour”, which will be published in September by Penguin Verlag. On his bicycle trip across Germany, he repeatedly starts conversations with people who think differently – this time in a very direct and personal way. As Hasnain Kazim emphasized: “If we remain silent, we start to accept hatred. So, let’s talk!”

“Free speech not only means being able to have a different opinion but also to be able to express different opinions – in spoken and printed words,” said Britta Egetemeier, Publisher and Managing Director of Penguin Random House Verlagsgruppe. “Authors and we as publishers advocate for this fundamental freedom every day when we make books. With ‘Free Speech Week’ with its many active participants and events, we show a broad public why it is so important to defend free exchange and discourse each and every day. At Penguin Random House Verlagsgruppe, we are very pleased that we got together at the end of the week with the future book dealers at Mediacampus Frankfurt and our author Hasnain Kazim and were able to honor free speech and debate.”