video of remarks
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Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, dear friends,My name is Peter Claussen. I’m the Cultural Attaché at the U.S. Embassy here in Berlin. Last week, Minister Counselor Helena Finn opened this series with a reading by John Haskell, which some of you might have attended.

The series involves an American writer each month until July to be continued after the summer break. Tonight we are welcoming Matt Ruff, an author who has developed a very dedicated and engaged readership in the States as well as in Europe. He will read from his recently published novel “Bad Monkeys” published by Hanser Verlag in German translation.  The U.S. Embassy Literature Series, as well as a lecture series on the elections, are both leading up to an event worth celebrating: The opening of our new Embassy here at Pariser Platz this summer. We are excited about returning to the center of town and determined to become a space where cultural exchange takes place.

In March, author Amy Bloom will read – also at the Kennedy Museum. Louis Begley will be part of the Literature Series in April, and there is more to come. You might want to check our website regularly for new announcements. The Kennedy Museum as a neighbour has been very generous by allowing us to do some of the events here. We already feel at home here and hope to continue close cooperation, especially for literary readings such as this one. The museum is also a symbolic place demonstrating the close ties Germany has had over many decades with the U.S. The picture of Jackie Kennedy reading a book right behind me also adds a special touch.  I would like to thank Ms. Alberts of the Kennedy Museum and her staff for being so cooperative and supportive. 

We are proud to say that American Studies faculty from Berlin and Brandenburg are also involved in the series. Their contributions demonstrate the closeness of the Embassy with their academic institutions: Last week Professor Dr. Rüdiger Kunow, Postdam University, introduced John Haskell. Tonight, Professor Martin Klepper, Humboldt University Berlin, will introduce Matt Ruff and moderate the discussion afterwards.

Special thanks go to Hanser Verlag with whom we have cooperated on this program. Matt Ruff will also read in Hamburg and Frankfurt this week.  We have great plans for the U.S. Embassy Literature Series and hope to develop a reputation among our audience for bringing outstanding talent to Germany. By doing so, we are continuing the tradition of the Amerika Häuser to demonstrate the importance of cultural exchange. Thank you!