Biarritz - Reading - German Premiere
presented by the Harbour Front Literature Festival Hamburg
The Harbour Front Literature Festival celebrates the book premiere of Andrea Sawatzki's new novel "Biarritz" with an exclusive reading at the St. Pauli Theater. The popular actress, SPIEGEL bestselling author, and subtle storyteller presents a deeply moving mother-daughter story about closeness, guilt, and the desire for reconciliation.
After the great success of “Brunnenstraße,” Sawatzki once again devotes himself to the subtle nuances of family relationships – a novel full of intensity, warmth, and subtle irony.
With a strong stage presence, a charismatic reading voice, and a keen sense of human depth, Andrea Sawatzki transforms everyday life into great literature. She reads selected passages and offers insights into the novel's genesis – a touching and lingering evening.
Press reviews of “Brunnenstraße”:
“A moving book.” – Stern
"Gripping, tragic, and so important that the actress told her true story. I still had goosebumps days later." – LovelyBooks
About the book “Biarritz”:
Competitor and role model – the novel of a lifelong conflict
Emmi has been living in a nursing home for years. She stopped speaking long ago and only communicates with her friend Marianne, another resident. Her daughter Hanna, on the other hand, seems to barely notice Emmi; perhaps she even rejects her, it's hard to say.
Is it due to a lack of affection from her daughter, or is it the inextricable tangle of pain and guilt? In an act of mutual redemption, Hanna decides to take one last big trip with Marianne and her mother.
Release date: August 1, 2025
About the author:
Andrea Sawatzki is one of Germany's best-known film and television actresses. She has also long since established herself as an author: Following her SPIEGEL bestseller "Ein sehr gutes Mädchen" (A Too Good Girl), she published the successful Bundschuh series, including "Tief durchatmen, die Familie kommt" (Breathe Deeply, the Family is Coming) and four further volumes, all of which were adapted into films for ZDF.
With her bestseller "Brunnenstraße," she ventured into autobiographical territory for the first time – a moving novel about a childhood torn between insecurity and strength. Andrea Sawatzki lives in Berlin with her husband, actor and author Christian Berkel, two sons, and a dog.
