New city clerk Estis wants to address anti-Semitism in Dresden

New city clerk Estis wants to address anti-Semitism in Dresden

Today we would like to introduce you to a breath of fresh air in the Dresden literary scene: Alexander Estis, the new city clerk of Dresden. With his Jewish-Russian roots, Estis is an interesting representative of our cultural diversity. As soon as he arrived in the city, he positioned himself impressively and explained that he was coming to us without a finished program or political agenda. Instead, he wants to deal intensively with topics such as anti-Semitism and affinity for Russia. He is planning numerous readings, discussions and a column for the “Sächsische Zeitung”, which only increases the anticipation for his work. MDR reports.

Alexander Estis was born in Moscow in 1986 and emigrated to Germany in 1996, where he was able to further develop his roots in Hamburg. He has made a name for himself as an author, translator and journalist and has become an integral part of the German-speaking literary scene. His passion for the short literary form, which he calls “miniatures,” often surprises him with his wit and ingenuity in his texts. Estis underpins his already considerable career with a number of publications: seven books, including “Escapes” and “Utterances of a Russian”, bear witness to his creative power. He is also a member of the exile P.E.N. and has won several literary prizes, including the Kurt Tucholsky Prize 2023 and the Rolf Bossert Memorial Prize 2020. Wikipedia details.

A look at the challenges

At a time when the literary work of Jewish authors is in greater focus than ever, Estis brings a genuine perspective on contemporary challenges. Jewish cultural creation in Germany has an eventful history behind it. From the heyday of the Weimar Republic to the persecution during National Socialism - the experiences are diverse and often painful. Estis comes to us to immerse ourselves in this tradition and to address the questions that the present raises. His examination of anti-Semitism in a current context could give new impetus to the literary discourses that affect us as a society. In recent decades, numerous Jewish authors, such as Wladimir Kaminer and Lena Gorelik, have addressed the complexity of their identities and reinvigorated the discussion. The Federal Agency for Civic Education addresses the literary disputes.

His active participation in the cultural discussions will take place not only through readings, but also through conversations with Dresden citizens and literature lovers, in which he shares his thoughts and views on the development of culture and literature. Estis sees his time in Dresden as a form of participant observation. He wants to experience first-hand what concerns and motivates people here.

A new beginning and outlook

Alexander Estis has been living in Dresden since the beginning of June and appreciates the advantages of the city clerk scholarship. He succeeds the former city clerk Charlotte Gneuss in this position and brings fresh ideas and perspectives to the local literary scene. With his insights and experiences in European culture, he will certainly be an enriching element for the city and its residents. His first steps in Dresden are promising and we can look forward to what this creative mind will bring us in the coming months.