The series #Vorzeichen seeks to practice canon critique through its focus on reading as a means for revealing and dismantling power structures. In doing so, the emphasis shifts not only on to whom or what we read, but also how we do so. Reading practices that center empathy, engagement, activism, and solidarity are also expressions of one’s own politics. Social media provides alternate platforms for reading and talking about literature in which chats, comments, or other informal exchange facilitate new and different interpretations and engagements with a text.
Yeama, Armin, and Charlott were the winners of our open call a few weeks ago. Yeama is especially interested in writing by Black authors in German-speaking regions, Armin currently finds texts about memory and gaps in memory particularly intriguing and Charlott has a strong emphasis on literature of marginalized groups. In the upcoming months Armin, Charlott, and Yeama will share their reading experiences with us and, as part of the #Vorzeichen series, they will write very personal book reviews for you.
![On an orange background it says: I am Charlott and I always read at least three books at the same time. When I was sick as a child, my parents gave me books, so now as a chronically ill, disabled adult, I think I always have a good reason for [getting] new books (or borrowing books from the library for the hundredth time). I mainly deal with marginalized positions and approaches to writing across all genres. And below the name Charlott Schönwetter. In the top left corner is the hashtag sign again with the word Vorzeichen above it and the Goethe-Institut logo in the bottom right corner.](/resources/files/png156/6-v2-formatkey-webp-default-r.png "Statement Charlott")
![The cover of Gesammeltes Schweigen appears at the center of the image, to the left and the right there is a purple background. The cover is grey with red writing and numerous red rectangles strewn across the page. The background is yellow and contains multiple iterations of the word “Schweigen” [silences] in red. There are also additional red rectangles, some in the background and some overlapping with the book cover.](/resources/files/png163/gesammeltes-schweigen-quer-formatkey-webp-w1920r.png "Gesammeltes Schweigen quer")
