100 Years of James Krüss: Literary Lecture in Brannenburg
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James Krüss: A Life Full of Stories in Brannenburg
On the occasion of James Krüss's 100th birthday, the VHS Brannenburg invites you to a literary lecture about one of the most significant and versatile German children's and youth authors. On October 9, 2026, lecturer Susanne Krekel will focus on the storyteller, rhyme artist, and language lover whose works have shaped generations.
A Literary Work between Island, Fantasy, and Wordplay
James Krüss was born on May 31, 1926, on Helgoland. His maritime background, the vastness of the sea, and the unique island community left a clear mark on his literary style. His stories combine poetic fantasy with precise observation, cheerful wordplay, and questions that extend far beyond children's literature.
The lecture will focus on well-known works such as Timm Thaler or The Sold Laughter, My Great-Grandfather and I, and The Lighthouse on the Lobster Cliffs. Krüss mastered numerous genres: he wrote novels, poems, picture books, radio plays, plays, non-fiction texts, and essays about language and children's and youth literature.
Art of Language with Cultural Radiance
The literary quality of James Krüss lies in the connection between comprehensibility and artistic construction. His narratives open spaces for fantasy without losing sight of reality. Humor, rhythm, and rhyme become forms of thinking in his work. It is precisely this that underscores the lasting cultural significance of his work.
For My Great-Grandfather and I, Krüss received the German Youth Literature Prize in 1960, followed by another award in 1964 for 3 x 3 in One Day. In 1968, he was honored for his entire oeuvre with the Hans Christian Andersen Medal, one of the most prestigious international awards in children's and youth literature. Other honors, such as the Marburger Literature Prize and the Federal Cross of Merit, underline his position in the German-speaking literary scene.
An Author Encounter without the Author
Although James Krüss passed away in 1997 in Gran Canaria, the atmosphere of the reading creates a direct encounter with his voice. His verses, characters, and narrative worlds carry the lecture: the precise artistry of language, the dry humor, and the warmth of an author who trusted both children and adults.
The lecture is aimed at literature enthusiasts, families, educational professionals, and anyone who is excited about classic children's and youth literature. The literary experience makes visible why Krüss is still read today and why his texts continue to live on in cultural memory.
Conclusion: An Evening for All Who Love Stories
The lecture at the KUNSTschmiede promises a knowledgeable and inspiring journey through the life and work of James Krüss. Visitors will experience a concentrated tribute to the author, rediscover well-known books, and meet a language artist whose imagination reaches into the present. Registration with the VHS Brannenburg secures a spot for this special literary evening.
Official Channels of James Krüss:
- Instagram: no official profile found
- Facebook: no official profile found
- Website: https://jameskruess.de/
- Publisher: https://www.carlsen.de/autorin-illustratorin/james-kruss
