Leipzig, Germany – Author Yannic Han Biao Federer will read from his award-winning novel, “Für immer seh ich dich wieder” (Forever I’ll Spot You Again), at the German National Library (DNB) in Leipzig on March 20, 2026. The event, part of the “Leipzig Reads” series, will feature a conversation with journalist Andrea Reidt.
Federer received the 2025 Family Novel Book Prize from the Ravensburger Verlag Foundation for the autobiographical work, which explores the profound grief of losing a child shortly before birth. The novel recounts the experience of a couple, Charlotte and Yannic, as they navigate the emotional and bureaucratic challenges following the stillbirth of their son, Gustav Tian Ming.
According to the Ravensburger Verlag Foundation, Federer’s book extends beyond a personal tragedy, addressing societal taboos surrounding infant loss and highlighting the strength of familial bonds. The jury praised the novel’s literary merit and its unconventional approach to storytelling, noting the author’s “bravery” in finding an artistic form to express such a deeply personal experience.
The Family Novel Book Prize, now in its 15th year, recognizes German-language narrative prose – including novels, short stories, autobiographies, and autofiction – that offers a contemporary perspective on family life. The 15,000 euro prize is awarded annually, with selection advice provided by a panel of literary critics, and booksellers. This year’s advisors included Dr. Uwe Wittstock, Sandra Kegel, Cornelia Geißler, Mareike Fallwickl, Michael Riethmüller, and Andrea Reidt.
Federer, who currently resides in Cologne, previously worked at the Literaturhaus in Cologne and is now a lecturer at the University of Bonn’s Department of German and Comparative Literature and Culture. His novel delves not only into the immediate aftermath of loss but also into the broader context of his family’s history, referencing “persecution, violence, flight, silence and fear” experienced by his father’s family. He posits that trauma remains unresolved “as long as [it] remains formless,” and that storytelling is essential for processing and remembering.
Free tickets for the reading at the DNB lecture hall are available by calling 0341 2271-286 or visiting www.dnb.de/veranstaltungleipzig. The event will be held in German.
