Colson Whitehead, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and the Academy’s spring 2026 Dirk Ippen writer-in-residence, reflects on what first inspired him to begin writing, the scope of his work, and what lies ahead in conversation with Wieland Freund, editor of German daily Die Welt’s culture section. The event took place in cooperation with Kultur Büro Elisabeth.

Host: Carolin Frederking
Producer: Tony Andrews
Music: “Valium,” by nothanks
Photo: Annette Hornischer