PADERBORN2READ—The English Book Club organizes an afternoon on “dystopia and reality”, based on the modern classic The Hunger Games, as a contribution to Paderborn University’s Culture Week.
June 12, 2025
2.00–7.00 p.m.
J4.219 & J4.319
Young adult dystopias are becoming modern classics—in times of dystopian fiction turning into dystopian reality. We will discuss The Hunger Games as a founding text of current YA dystopia and create an open forum for exchange on dystopia, global reality, and us.
Movie Screening (2.00–4.30 p.m.)
The afternoon starts with a joint screening of Gary Ross’s movie adaptation of The Hunger Games.
Movie and Novel Discussion (4.30–5.30 p.m.)
After the screening, we will discuss both the movie adaption and Suzanne Collins’s original novel.
Open Discussion Forums (5.30–6.00 p.m.)
The event’s main goal is to create room for discussion about dystopia and reality. To achieve this, club members Andrea, Beth, Daniel, and Ronja will be leading discussion forums on various aspects of the topic.
A “Systems of oppression—gender, media, and politics in The Hunger Games”
B “Reading as resistance—can YA dystopias be a tool for political awareness?”
C “Classic dystopias vs. current YA dystopias—who are the heroes?”
Feel-good Book Slam (6.00–7.00 p.m.)
This year’s dystopian focus is sure to lead us into alarming and stressful discussions. To avoid going home disillusioned and disheartened, we will lift everybody’s spirits with a feel-good book slam. What do you read when something dragged you down to get into a great mood again? Feel-good book favourites may be presented in three minutes in English or German. Registration for the slam is possible on site and there will be a small prize for the most uplifting presentation.
We invite all book supporters and discussants to join us for single activities or for the whole event!
PADERBORN2READ—The English Book Club
