A book with an unusual title provided some spine-tingling moments
Mayor Tristan Vitt and Dr. Jana Mikota (University of Siegen) with author Christian Linker (front row, from right to left), Dr. Gisela Labenz and Beatrix Dango (Siegen Community Foundation) (2nd row, from right to left), Claudia Wilke (City Department of Children, Youth, and Family Services), Ann-Kathrin Klein (Siegen City Library), and Tanja Scherzer (Sparkasse Siegen) (back row, from right to left).
How is it that a children’s book is titled “Fish Suck,” of all things? Students found out during the kickoff of the “A City Reads a Book” reading campaign. Behind the provocative title lies an exciting and multi-layered story about friendship and solidarity, but also about family and social issues. Author Christian Linker took the approximately 330 children—who filled the Apollo Theater for the opening of the 18th joint reading campaign organized by the City of Siegen and the University of Siegen—on a journey into the life of his young protagonist, Till: The 11-year-old moves into a residential group for children and teenagers after his father is hospitalized. Since only fish are allowed as pets there (hence the slogan and book title), Till has to give up his beloved dog, Flocke.
The children from the ten participating schools in Siegen—ranging from elementary through middle school and representing various types of schools—experienced Christian Linker’s reading live on stage. Guiseppe Todaro from the Apollo Theater and Mayor Tristan Vitt got the young guests in the mood for the reading event with a short interview beforehand. Many children had brought their own copies, which they had signed afterward. Mayor Tristan Vitt, author Christian Linker, German studies scholar Dr. Jana Mikota from the University of Siegen, Claudia Wilke from the city’s Department of Child and Youth Services, as well as Sparkasse Siegen and the Siegen Community Foundation as the main sponsors, had kicked off the event with a discussion beforehand.
“For the City of Siegen, supporting children and youth is an issue of enormous importance. We are delighted that, in collaboration with the University of Siegen and with the support of Sparkasse Siegen and the Siegen Community Foundation, we have been able to organize this event for more than 18 years now, thereby ensuring cultural participation for all children. Furthermore, reading promotes language skills, stimulates reflection and encourages dialogue, and can therefore only have a positive impact on our democracy,” said Mayor Tristan Vitt. Co-organizer Claudia Wilke also emphasized the importance of the reading campaign: “Every year we see high registration numbers for the campaign, and we’re delighted that this year as many as eleven school classes—instead of just ten as before—are able to participate. We’re also receiving positive feedback from the schools. For many children, the campaign is a real experience that sparks conversations even outside the classroom.”
“Christian Linker’s book gives a voice to children who otherwise don’t often have a say in our society because they come from socially disadvantaged backgrounds,” said Dr. Jana Mikota from the University of Siegen. She noted that it is one of very few novels that address the topic of “taking children into care.”
Background of the initiative:
Thanks to the many participating children, the dedicated teachers, and the volunteer “reading mentors,” the initiative has become firmly established in Siegen over the years. Mayor Vitt also thanked the campaign’s long-standing sponsors: Sparkasse Siegen, the Siegen Community Foundation, and the Koch Student Foundation.
This year, a total of eleven classes from ten different schools—ranging from elementary to secondary schools—are participating. As in previous years, the initiative was organized as a collaboration between the University of Siegen and the City of Siegen (the Municipal Children’s and Youth Office, the Siegen City Library, and the Fischbacherberg Children’s and Youth Center). Each student will receive a personal copy of a book. The children may keep the books after the campaign ends. The books are funded through the youth welfare budget and donations from sponsors. The campaign has taken place every year since 2009.
Following the official kickoff at the Apollo Theater, the children can now look forward to the reading weeks. From November 9 to 17, the “reading mentors”—including Mayor Tristan Vitt—will read aloud from the book to the children at special locations in Siegen. These locations include the Historic Council Chamber in Siegen City Hall, the Siegen Regional Court, and the Siegerland Museum. Afterward, the children can explore the venues and ask the reading mentors questions.
