History, philosophy, and radical art.
Discover carefully curated public lectures, author talks, debates and intellectual events in Berlin, Germany — selected by The Mindful City editorial team.
Last updated: August 10, 2026
Timothy Snyder · Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin · August 12, 2026
Historian Timothy Snyder delivers a public lecture on historical memory and the rise of authoritarian tendencies in contemporary Europe. The talk will be open to the public with a …
Daniel Kehlmann · Literaturhaus Berlin · August 12, 2026
Daniel Kehlmann presents selections from his forthcoming work and discusses narrative strategies in contemporary German-language fiction. The reading is followed by a moderated Q&A…
Jennifer Doudna · Freie Universität Berlin · August 12, 2026
Nobel laureate Jennifer Doudna discusses recent developments in genome editing and the ethical responsibilities that accompany transformative biotechnologies. The lecture is part o…
Zadie Smith · Literaturhaus Berlin · August 12, 2026
Zadie Smith reads from excerpts of her forthcoming novel and discusses craft, identity, and language in contemporary fiction. A moderated conversation and book-signing will follow …
Navid Kermani · Literaturhaus Berlin · August 12, 2026
Navid Kermani offers readings from his latest essays and reflects on cultural identity, migration, and the role of literature in plural societies. The session includes a conversati…
Michael J. Sandel · Freie Universität Berlin · August 12, 2026
Philosopher Michael Sandel examines contemporary debates about markets, morality, and civic duty in a public lecture format. Students and citizens are invited to participate in an …
Timothy Snyder · Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin · August 12, 2026
Historian Timothy Snyder discusses the current challenges to democratic institutions and the role of historical memory in resisting authoritarianism. The public lecture will be fol…
Angela Saini · Freie Universität Berlin, Henry-Ford-Bau · August 14, 2026
Science journalist Angela Saini examines how narratives shape public understanding of science and risk. She offers strategies for clear, inclusive science communication in polarize…
Colson Whitehead · Literaturhaus Berlin · August 15, 2026
Pulitzer Prize winner Colson Whitehead gives a reading from his recent work, followed by a conversation about race, memory, and narrative form. This event is presented in English w…
Zadie Smith · Literaturhaus Berlin · August 15, 2026
Zadie Smith reads from her forthcoming novel and discusses themes of identity, migration, and urban life. The evening closes with a moderated conversation and audience Q&A.
Achille Mbembe · Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW) · August 18, 2026
Public intellectual Achille Mbembe discusses decolonial approaches to museum collections and public memory in Europe and Africa. The talk will include reflections on recent restitu…
Zadie Smith · Literaturhaus Berlin · August 18, 2026
Award-winning novelist Zadie Smith reads from her newest work and discusses themes of identity, migration, and urban life. The reading will be followed by a moderated conversation …
Mary Beard · Deutsches Historisches Museum · August 18, 2026
Classicist Mary Beard examines how ancient Roman history has been used and misused in modern political discourse. Her lecture links scholarship with public history and museum pract…
Juli Zeh · Literaturhaus Berlin · August 18, 2026
Juli Zeh reads from her latest novel and discusses the ethical dimensions of technology in contemporary fiction. The evening includes a moderated Q&A and a book signing after the r…
Timothy Snyder · Deutsches Historisches Museum · August 18, 2026
Historian Timothy Snyder examines the historical patterns that make democracies vulnerable and what citizens can do to defend them. The talk places current European challenges in a…
Mariana Mazzucato · Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW) · August 19, 2026
Economist Mariana Mazzucato outlines how mission-oriented innovation strategies can address climate and social crises. The talk will be followed by a policy-focused panel with Euro…
Anne Applebaum · Deutsches Historisches Museum · August 19, 2026
Historian Anne Applebaum explores the long-term consequences of 20th-century imperial politics on contemporary Europe. The lecture connects archival history with present-day politi…
Paul Mason · Literaturhaus Berlin · August 19, 2026
Paul Mason assesses how automation, platform economies, and political mobilization are reshaping the future of work and redistribution. He argues for policy frameworks that can med…
Esther Duflo · Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin · August 20, 2026
Nobel laureate Esther Duflo presents new evidence on effective anti-poverty interventions and discusses implications for global policy. The presentation will be followed by a short…
Carlo Rovelli · Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin · August 20, 2026
Physicist Carlo Rovelli discusses the philosophical implications of modern physics and how scientific ideas intersect with humanistic inquiry. The lecture will be accessible to a g…