“Stepping Out of Line Is Also an Art” – A Reading with Lioba Albus
A Wild Grandma Goes Viral—a lighthearted novel about female anger, activism, late-in-life love, and the liberating power of dance. Of all people, the grumpy Agnes is asked by a lively group of bachelorettes to offer her best wishes to the bride.
Without warning, Agnes’s statement turns into a fiery speech against marriage, and the clip goes viral under the hashtag #krasseOma. Agnes’s long-grown-up daughter can’t believe her mother is behaving so badly in public.
Does this ever end? Her salsa partner Achim—who is, in a way, the heir to her recently deceased friend Inge—is, however, primarily irritated by Agnes’s negative view of men. But is he the one who can change Agnes’s outlook on life and love?
There is a 5.00 euro admission fee for the event. Advance ticket sales begin on Thursday, June 18.
Mystery Book Reading with Wolfgang Ernst: “Die Geisterschmiede”
The year is 1879. In Küblitz, in the Lusatia region, there is an abandoned blacksmith’s shop said to be haunted. Three teenagers set out to get to the bottom of the matter, but only one returns. He claims that the ghost of the old blacksmith took his friends. Since one of the missing boys is the mayor’s son, Inspector von Stranski from Berlin is assigned to investigate the case alongside the somewhat absent-minded village police officer Klingel.
But even before the inspector arrives, one of the boys is found dead with a stab wound in his back and strange burns. Time is of the essence, as the mayor’s son remains missing. And just outside the town gates, a glowing figure suddenly appears …
Admission to this event is free.
“The Magic of the Orient – Tales from 1,001 Nights” with Josef Schoenen
Josef Schoenen, a professional voice actor, musician, reciter, and speaker, transports his audience into the world of fairy tales in his reading “The Magic of the Orient—Fairy Tales from 1,001 Nights.”
Fairy Tales from 1,001 Nights—just hearing the title is enough to conjure up entire worlds in your mind’s eye: the story of Scheherazade; Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves; Aladdin’s Magic Lamp—colorful stories brimming with imagination, suspense, and adventure that have remained etched in most people’s memories since childhood.
This evening offers a brief journey through the tales of One Thousand and One Nights and a self-contained narrative cycle brimming with humor, suspense, and fascination.
There is no admission charge for this event.
"Worth reading" - Topic: Fairy tales
Books are presented in a small, cozy and very personal setting. You will learn something about the author, the content of the books and why this particular book was chosen for a presentation. Finally, a particularly exciting or interesting passage from each book is read aloud.
Please register by calling 02103/72-1301 or sending an e-mail to stadtbibliothek@hilden.de.
Hilden City Library
"Beyond All Memories" with Thomas Dellenbusch, aka Sydney D. Foster
“Those who believed yesterday that there would be no tomorrow are proven wrong by today.” Two lives. A dark secret and a truth that changes everything.
West Germany, 1971. Karin Bergmann, a young saleswoman, leads a modest life—until she begins to remember. What begins as mere curiosity during trance sessions quickly develops into a highly emotional journey. Images of a life that should have long since passed appear to her. But what she sees is no dream. It is her past life. The insecure young woman becomes a seeker, willing to risk everything to find the person who connects yesterday with today. But a shadow from the past is determined to remain forgotten.
The author lived in Hilden for many years himself, and so the story of his book is set in his hometown. He is known for his “short novels the length of a feature film.”
Thomas Dellenbusch once worked at the State Criminal Police Office and wrote speeches for the North Rhine-Westphalia Minister of the Interior.
There is no admission fee for this event.
“Killing Red Jack—What Happened to Jack the Ripper?” Reading with Thorsten Schleif
Author Thorsten Schleif reads from the first volume of his Jack the Ripper series. *Killing Red Jack* takes listeners straight to the heart of London’s East End, into the bloody fall of 1888.
Based on original police files, real newspaper articles, and cutting-edge analysis, judge and crime novelist Thorsten Schleif presents a historical true-crime thriller so gripping that it keeps you hooked until the very last page.
Author Thorsten Schleif has written several highly successful nonfiction books and the humorous crime series featuring Judge Siggi Buckmann.
There is a 5.00 euro admission fee for the event. Advance ticket sales begin on August 20, 2026.
"Le pot amical - a drink with friends" - with Uwe Mewes
With enjoyment, conversation and memories, "Le pot amical - Umtrunk mit Freunden" invites you to a relaxed evening where French joie de vivre takes center stage. On this evening, you can expect small, fine French specialties, a selection of French wines and refreshing French beer, accompanied by atmospheric barrel organ music.
Uwe Mewes complements the evening with personal stories and atmospheric photos from his travels through France by bike. A stylish setting for stimulating conversations and a cozy get-together among friends.
Admission is €10.00, tickets are available from 01.09.2026 in the city library
"Worth reading" - Topic: My favorite books
Books are presented in a small, cozy and very personal setting. You will learn something about the author, the content of the books and why this particular book was chosen for a presentation. Finally, a particularly exciting or interesting passage from each book is read aloud.
Please register by calling 02103/72-1301 or sending an e-mail to stadtbibliothek@hilden.de.
"Worth reading" - Topic: Christmas stories
Books are presented in a small, cozy and very personal setting. You will learn something about the author, the content of the books and why this particular book was chosen for a presentation. Finally, a particularly exciting or interesting passage from each book is read aloud.
Please register by calling 02103/72-1301 or sending an e-mail to stadtbibliothek@hilden.de.
“Fantastic Times Between the Pages,” Interactive Play
For a good hour at a time, the library is transformed into a world of fantasy, and an adventurous journey full of magical encounters and surprises begins.
Visitors experience “Fantastic Times Between the Pages” and become part of a reading, as characters suddenly emerge from the books all around them. With the audience’s help, these characters must find their way back to their own world. In this unique theatrical performance, participants are invited to solve puzzles, compose poetry, and engage in debate. Above all, it’s about discovering the library in a whole new way—with lots of fun.
The interactive play was developed by the two Westphalian theater makers Nathanael Ullmann and Rico Großer.
This interactive event is suitable for people ages 16 and up. Groups start every 20 minutes between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
There is a 10.00 euro admission fee for this event. Advance ticket sales begin on November 13, 2026.