Heimat: Rhineland-Palatinate – Guests

Photo: Palagrafie

Dinçer Güçyeter, born 1979 in Nettetal (Lower Rhine), writer and publisher. He trained as a tool mechanic, worked for a long time as a forklift driver and founded Elif Verlag in 2011. For »Unser Deutschlandmärchen« he received the Leipzig Book Fair Prize; for the poetry collection »Mein Prinz, ich bin das Ghetto« the Peter Huchel Prize.

Photo: University of Trier

Prof. Dr Claudia Ritzi, born 1981 in Esslingen, teaches Political Theory and the History of Ideas at the University of Trier. Most recently: »Politik in der digitalen Gesellschaft«. Publications incl.: »Die Postdemokratisierung politischer Öffentlichkeit« and »Die Legitimität direkter Demokratie« (both Springer VS).

Photo: Trierischer Volksfreund/Friedemann Vetter

[Moderation] Thomas Roth, born in 1974 in Lichtenfels (Bavaria), journalist. After stints including at Fränkischer Tag (Bamberg), Braunschweiger Zeitung and a management consultancy, editor-in-chief of Trierischer Volksfreund since 2018, and since 2019 also deputy editor-in-chief of Saarbrücker Zeitung.

Photo: Madeleine Gräf

Nick Falkner, born 1992 in the Ahr valley, captain in the German Armed Forces; studied at the University of the Bundeswehr Hamburg (M.A. in International Relations); founded the Ahr Valley donation distribution centre in 2021; founded the Ahrtal Foundation in 2022, of which he is the volunteer managing director.

Photo: Jürgen Bauer

Dr Nils C. Kumkar, born 1985, sociologist and research associate at the University of Bremen. He researches social inequality and political protest. Books: »Alternative Fakten« (2022) and »Polarisierung« (2025), both Suhrkamp.

Photo: Jens Weber

[Moderation] Celina de Cuveland, born 1991 in Cologne and raised in the Rhineland, journalist. She trained at Rhein-Zeitung and worked freelance for five years, mainly for WDR. Since 2022 she has been head of news at the local desk of Rhein-Zeitung for the Ahrweiler district.

Photo: private

Arianit Besiri, born 1993 in Mitrovica (Kosovo), political scientist, former police officer and Mayor of Morbach (SPD). Vice President for socio-political affairs at the Rhineland Football Association; honoured with the Sepp Herberger Certificate and the Federal Prize for Diversity and Integration.

Photo: Heike Steinweg

Daniela Dröscher, born 1977 in Munich, raised in the Hunsrück (Rhineland-Palatinate), writer. Her novel »Lügen über meine Mutter« was shortlisted for the German Book Prize; she received the Robert Gernhardt Prize. Most recently: the novel »Junge Frau mit Katze« (KiWi, 2025).

Photo: Nane Diehl

[Moderation] Birgit Schmitz, born 1971 in Morbach, founded her own publishing house TOC Publishing in 2020. Previously she worked as an editor and publisher at Kiepenheuer & Witsch, Berlin Verlag and Hoffmann & Campe. On the board of PEN Berlin since November 2024.

Photo: Julia Puder

Konstantin Küspert, born 1982 in Regensburg, playwright and dramaturge. Most recently: »Bürger-Trilogie« with the plays »Die Mitbürger«, »Bundesbürger« and »Reichsbürger« (with Annelena Küspert, Suhrkamp 2023). Winner of the Mülheim Dramatists’ Prize. On the board of PEN Berlin since June 2022.

Photo: Robert Sakowski

Wolfgang M. Schmitt, born 1988 in Koblenz, YouTuber, podcaster, critic. Since 2011 he has run the YouTube channel »Die Filmanalyse«. He also co-hosts the podcast »Wohlstand für alle« with Ole Nymoen and »Die neuen Zwanziger« with Stefan Schulz. Most recently: »Selbst schuld!« (with Ann-Kristin Tlusty, Hanser, 2024)

Photo: Fotostudio Hosser

[Moderation] Lukas Herzog, born 1991 in Idar-Oberstein, journalist, researcher and producer. He works as a research associate at the Department of Journalism at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and is head of the public-access TV channel naheTV | Studio Idar-Oberstein.

Photo: Manuel Andrack

Manuel Andrack, born 1965 in Cologne, presenter, author (»Du musst wandern«) and hiking expert. Head of editorial team of the Harald Schmidt Show, 2000–07 sidekick. German Television Award 2001. Most recently: »Mein Jahr als Narr – Dem Geheimnis von Karneval, Fasching, Fastnacht auf der Spur« (dtv, 2020).

Photo: Alex Cio

Artur Becker, born 1968 in Bartoszyce (Poland), writer, poet and translator. Since 2024, editor responsible for literature and essays at the online magazine Faust-Kultur. Most recently, the novel »Drang nach Osten« was published (weissbooks, 2019).

Photo: private

[Moderation] Alexandra Dietz, born 1982 in Lebach (Saarland), journalist since 1998, has worked cross-media for TV, radio and online in Kaiserslautern for ten years. With her project Westpfalz-Gospel she supports social causes on a non-profit basis.

Photo: Martin Hangen

Hamed Abdel-Samad, born 1972 in Giza (Egypt), political scientist and publicist. He worked for UNESCO, at the Chair of Islamic Studies at the University of Erfurt, and at the Institute for Jewish History and Culture at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. Most recently: »Was darf Israel? Ein Streit« (with Philipp Peymann-Engel, dtv, 2025).

Photo: Marco Limberg

Philipp Engel-Peyman, born 1983 in Herdecke (NRW), journalist and editor-in-chief of Jüdische Allgemeine. In 2023 he was named Editor-in-Chief of the Year by medium magazin. In 2024 he received the Ricarda Huch Prize for essays. Most recently: »Was darf Israel? Ein Streit« (with Hamed Abdel-Samad, dtv, 2025).

Photo: WELT

[Moderation] Daniel-Dylan Böhmer, born 1975 in Frankfurt am Main, journalist and author. After stints at Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung and Vanity Fair, with Welt since 2009, where he is Senior Editor. In 2013 his book »Der Major, der den Krieg überlistete« was published by Suhrkamp. Honoured with the special award »Journalists of the Year 2017«.

Photo: Anne Hufnagl

Ralf Fücks, born 1951 in Edenkoben (Rhineland-Palatinate), former politician (Greens) and publicist. 1991–1995 Senator for the Environment in Bremen; in 1997 member of the first, then three-person, board of the Heinrich Böll Foundation. In 2017, founder of the Zentrum Liberale Moderne think tank.

Photo: Christian Werner

Tijan Sila, born 1981 in Sarajevo, writer (»Tierchen Unlimited«, »Krach«). He has published essays in Zeit, taz and Freitag. Winner of the Ingeborg Bachmann Prize in 2024. He lives in Kaiserslautern. Most recently: »Radio Sarajevo« (Hanser, 2023).

Photo: Axel Bradatsch

[Moderation] Ruth Fuentes, born 1995 in Kaiserslautern, journalist. Since 2022 she has alternated with Aron Boks in writing the column »Stimme meiner Generation« for taz.FUTURZWEI. Member of the reading stage Neuköllner Brett (Berlin).

Photo: Britta Steinwachs

Christian Baron, born 1985 in Kaiserslautern, journalist and author. In 2020 his literary debut »Ein Mann seiner Klasse« was published, for which he received the Klaus Michael Kühne Prize and the literature prize »Aufstieg durch Bildung« of the noon Foundation. Most recently: »Drei Schwestern« (Claassen, 2025).

Photo: Debora Mittelstaedt

Prof. Dr Harald Welzer, born 1958 in Bissendorf (Lower Saxony), sociologist, social psychologist and publicist. He is director of Futurzwei – Stiftung Zukunftsfähigkeit and of the Norbert Elias Center for Transformation Design at the University of Flensburg. Most recently: »Das Haus der Gefühle – Warum Zukunft Herkunft braucht« (Fischer, 2025).

Photo: Janis Röhlig

[Moderation] Amelie Marie Weber, born 1995 in Kaiserslautern, journalist; since 2024 editor and presenter at tagesschau. Nominated for the Theodor Wolff Prize in 2022. Published in 2023: »Generation Hoffnung – Wie junge Menschen zwischen Klimawandel, Krieg und Selfie-Sucht die Zukunft gestalten« (Klartext)

Photo: private

Ufuk Çakır, born 1979 in Neuss (NRW), lawyer and Secretary General of the Alevi Community in Germany, where he primarily deals with issues of religious policy and society, as well as questions of equal rights.

Photo: Staatskanzlei RLP

Malu Dreyer, born 1961 in Neustadt an der Weinstraße, former politician (SPD), Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate from 2013–24. In 2015 she published, together with Hajo Schumacher, the book »Die Zukunft ist meine Freundin: Wie eine menschliche und ehrliche Politik gelingt« (Bastei Lübbe)

Photo: Sascha Kopp

[Moderation] Friedrich Roeingh, born 1961 in Beverungen (NRW), journalist. After senior roles at Wiesbadener Kurier and Westdeutsche Zeitung (Düsseldorf), editor-in-chief of Mainzer Allgemeine Zeitung and Wormser Zeitung from 2010 to 2023.

Photo: FES/R. Zensen

Kurt Beck, born 1949 in Bergzabern (RLP), Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate from 1994 to 2013 and federal chair of the SPD from 2006 to 2008; chair of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation from 2013 to 2020. Honoured many times, including with the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Photo: Ekko von Schwichow

Marjana Gaponenko, born 1981 in Odesa (Ukraine), writer (»Wer ist Martha?«, »Das letzte Rennen«). She lives in Mainz and Vienna and has been writing in German since the age of 16. Honoured, among others, with the Adelbert von Chamisso Prize.

Photo: Klaus Venus

[Moderation] Christoph Lode, born 1977 in Kaiserslautern, writer. He writes speculative fiction and crime fiction, and under the pseudonym Daniel Wolf historical novels, which have received the Homer Literature Prize multiple times. Most recently: »Das Reich der Rose« (Goldmann, 2025).

Photo: Frederike Wetzels

Julia Mateus, born 1984 in Münden (Lower Saxony), satirist and journalist. She wrote, among others, for taz, Freitag and Extra 3. From 2022 to 2025, editor-in-chief of the satire magazine Titanic.

Photo: Dominik Konrad

Volker Wissing, born 1970 in Landau in der Pfalz, lawyer and former politician. 2021–24 Federal Minister for Digital and Transport (FDP); left the FDP in November 2024; Federal Minister of Justice until May 2025. Since 2025, chair of the advisory board of Christ Capital GmbH.

Photo: Rhein Zeitung

[Moderation] Marian Ristow, born 1983 in Bad Kreuznach, journalist and editor at Rhein-Zeitung. Since 2023 he has been responsible there for the Nahe newsroom network.

Photo: Gerald von Foris

Lucy Fricke, born 1974 in Hamburg, writer (»Töchter«, »Die Diplomatin«). She worked as an assistant editor before turning to literature. Honoured, among others, with the Bavarian Book Prize. In 2010 she founded the Hamburg literature festival HAM.LIT. On the board of PEN Berlin since June 2025.

Photo: xx

Marcel Reif, born 1949 in Wałbrzych (Poland), sports journalist and commentator. Worked for ZDF from 1972 to 1994, later for RTL, and until 2013 for Sky. Widely honoured, among others with the Bavarian Television Award and the Grimme Prize. Until 2002, lecturer at the German Sport University Cologne.

Photo: private

[Moderation] Mladen Gladic, born 1975 in Münster, raised in Pirmasens, where he lives again. Journalist and media scholar; researched at various universities before moving to Freitag. Since 2020, editor on the Feuilleton desk of Welt. Together with Erika Thomalla he runs the podcast »Literatur im Betrieb«.

Photo: CDU Wiesbaden

Dr Kristina Schröder, born 1977 in Wiesbaden, publicist and management consultant. 2002–17 Member of the Bundestag (CDU), 2009–13 Federal Minister for Family Affairs, deputy head of the Republik 21 think tank. Most recently: »FreiSinnig – Politische Notizen zur Lage der Zukunft« (Claudius 2021).

Photo: Marlene Gawrisch/WELT

Deniz Yücel, born 1973 in Flörsheim (Hessen), journalist. Formerly at Jungle World and taz, since 2015 at Welt. Spokesperson of PEN Berlin; winner of the Theodor Wolff Prize and the Kurt Tucholsky Prize. Most recently: »Agentterrorist – Eine Geschichte über Freiheit und Freundschaft, Demokratie und Nichtsodemokratie« (KiWi, 2019).

Photo: Jakob Montrasio/Rheinpfalz

[Moderation] Kara Ballarin, born 1979 in Speyer, journalist. She worked, among other roles, for the Schwäbische Zeitung as head of a local newsroom and for many years as a correspondent for Baden-Württemberg. She is now part of the Politics/Economy/Current Affairs desk at Rheinpfalz (Ludwigshafen).

Photo: C.Bertelsmann

Harald Martenstein, born 1953 in Mainz, journalist, columnist and writer (»Heimweg«, »Wut«), winner of the Theodor Wolff Prize and the Henri Nannen Prize. He lives in the Uckermark and publishes his columns in Zeit, Welt, on radioeins, and since February 2026 in Bild. Most recently: »Alles im Griff auf dem sinkenden Schiff – Optimistische Kolumnen« (C. Bertelsmann, 2022)

Photo: Picture Alliance/SZPhoto/FriedrichBungert

Michael Roth, born 1970 in Heringen (Hessen), author and politician. 1998–25 Member of the German Bundestag (SPD), 2013–21 Minister of State for Europe. Honoured, among others, as an »Officer of the Legion of Honour« (France) and with the Hungarian Order of Merit. Book: »Zonen der Angst − Über Leben und Leidenschaft in der Politik« (C.H. Beck, 2025)

Photo: Jana Edisonga

[Moderation] Katja Gloger, born 1960 in Koblenz, journalist, for many years with Stern, among other roles as a correspondent in the USA and in Russia; winner of the Henri Nannen Prize and board member of Reporters Without Borders. Most recently: »Das Versagen – Eine investigative Geschichte der deutschen Russlandpolitik« (with Georg Mascolo, Ullstein, 2025).

Photo: FAZ

Jürgen Kaube, born 1962 in Worms, journalist and co-editor of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, responsible for the Feuilleton. Honoured, among others, with the Ludwig Börne Prize and with the German Non-Fiction Prize for the biography »Hegels Welt«. Most recently: »Die gespaltene Gesellschaft« (with André Kieserling, Rowohlt Berlin, 2022).

Photo: Heike Steinweg

Ursula Krechel, born 1947 in Trier, writer (»Landgericht«). Honoured, among others, with the German Book Prize and in 2025 with the Georg Büchner Prize. Vice President of the Academy of Sciences and Literature Mainz. Her first poetry collection »Nach Mainz!« was published in 1977; most recently »Vom Herzasthma des Exils« (Klett-Cotta, 2025).

Photo: Kevin Rühle

[Moderation] Lars Hennemann, born 1968 in Siegen, journalist. After stints including at Darmstädter Echo and Wetzlarer Neue Zeitung, editor-in-chief of Rhein-Zeitung since 2021. Newsrooms he has led have twice received the Guardian Award of the Daily Press, incl. Rhein-Zeitung for uncovering attempted cover-ups after the Ahr Valley flood.

Photo: R21

Prof. Dr Andreas Rödder, born 1967 in Wissen, historian and publicist. Since 2005 professor of contemporary history at University of Mainz and head of the Republik 21 think tank. Former chair of the CDU commission on core values, honoured with the Friedrich August von Hayek Foundation’s award for public commentary. Most recently: »Der verlorene Frieden – Vom Fall der Mauer zum neuen Ost-West-Konflikt« (C.H. Beck, 2024). 

Foto: Amrei-Marie/Wikipedia

Dr. Yannic Han Biao Federer, born 1986 in Breisach (BaWü), writer (»Und alles wie aus Pappmaché«, »Tao«) and literary scholar. Awarded the 3sat Prize at the 2019 Ingeborg Bachmann Competition. Most recently published: the autobiographical narrative »Für immer seh ich dich wieder« (Suhrkamp, 2025). [instead of Hanna Veiler]

Photo: Fotofabrik

[Moderation] Sabrina Hoffmann, born 1985 in Böblingen (Baden-Württemberg). She led the German editions of BuzzFeed and the German edition of Business Insider, and has been editor-in-chief of the Frankfurter Rundschau since December 2025. In 2016, the non-fiction book »Die neuen Asozialen« was published; for 2026 her debut novel »The Code of You« has been announced by Phantorion.

Photo: Weingut Endesfelder

Lena Endesfelder, born 1992 in Mehring (Moselle), runs the Endesfelder winery as a fourth-generation winemaker; its single-vineyard wines have won multiple awards. She studied viticulture and oenology and was German Wine Queen in 2016.

Photo: Boris Breuer

Stephan Grünewald, born 1960 in Mönchengladbach, psychologist, entrepreneur and non-fiction author (»Deutschland auf der Couch«). In 1997, co-founder of the rheingold institute for qualitative market and media analyses. Most recently: »Wir Krisenakrobaten – Psychogramm einer verunsicherten Gesellschaft« (KiWi, 2025)

Photo: private

[Moderation] Christoph Schmitz, born 1961 in Linz am Rhein, grew up in the Eifel. After a stint at Der Spiegel, he has worked for 30 years as an editor and presenter at Deutschlandfunk. He has written several books, including »Das Wiesenhaus« (Suhrkamp, 2012)

Photo: Magnus Terhorst

Ole Liebl, born 1992 in Wiesbaden, raised on the Loreley, influencer and author. On TikTok and Instagram he talks about sexuality, gender and relationships. Book: »Freunde lieben – Die Revolte in unseren engsten Beziehungen« (Harper Collins, 2024)

Photo: private

Franziskus Wendels, born 1960 in Daun (Eifel), has worked for 35 years as a freelance artist in painting and installation. Lives in Cologne and Daun. Honoured incl. the Kaiser Lothar Prize; exhibited incl. at Museum Ludwig (Koblenz) and the Landesmuseum Mainz.

Photo: xx

[Moderation] Katharina de Mos, born 1978 in Trier, local reporter in the Bitburg desk of Trierischer Volksfreund since 2008, and chief reporter there since 2012; nominated in 2009 for the Axel Springer Prize in the category »Outstanding achievements in local and regional reporting«.

Photo: Maximilian Gödecke

Arno Frank, born 1971 in Kaiserslautern, lives in Wiesbaden, journalist (Spiegel, taz) and writer (»Meute mit Meinung«, »Und jetzt du«). Most recently, the novel »Ginsterburg« was published (Klett-Cotta, 2025)

Photo: Bettina Fürst-Fastré

Jürgen Wiebicke, born 1962 in Cologne, journalist, author, presenter. At WDR he hosts programmes incl. »Neugier genügt«, »Tagesgespräch« and »Das philosophische Radio«. Most recently: »Erste Hilfe für Demokratie-Retter« (KiWi 2024).

Photo: Esther Jansen

[Moderation] Dagmar Dettmer, born 1973 in Trier, raised in the Eifel, journalist. She worked, among other places, at the German Economic Institute Cologne and leads the Eifel reporter team of Trierischer Volksfreund.