Literary pearls
Felicitas Hoppe is one of Germany's most creative authors. And now she's been honored with the prestigious Georg Büchner Prize. In explaining their choice, the jury praised her "sensitive storytelling". The 51-year-old writer is always on the move, whether crossing Europe by train or sailing around the world by ship. She writes about her travels in books full of wanderlust; with stories of hedonists and dream worlds. Reality is far too mundane for Felicitas Hoppe. Her latest novel is a fictional autobiography. In "Hoppe", Felicitas lets her alter ego grow up in Canada, where she becomes a talented ice hockey player. It's an invented alternate version of her own life. And it's just this playfulness that characterizes Felicitas Hoppe's work. This year's Büchner Prize honors a great fantasist.

Artful antics
Contemporary dance using choppy, machine-like movements - that's typical of the works by choreographer Marco Goecke. That aesthetic has fascinated ballet legend Vladimir Malakhov. The director of Berlin's Staatsballett brought the internationally-renowned Goecke to Berlin for the first time. Wild and dynamic, the staccato, almost robotic movements challenge the dancers. But this is part of Goecke's style too: suddenly quiet and gentle. It's unconventional, enigmatic dance, perfectly complemented by the music of John Adams. Magical movements that captivate the audience.

Jazz profusion
Michael Wollny is an exceptional pianist. His jazz trio, "em", features Eva Kruse playing a driving bass and Eric Schäfer on drums. Their music is characterized by dissonant tension, melodies that constantly gather pace, and spontaneous sounds. They play their own compositions and interpret pieces by Mahler, Berio and Schubert, transforming them into ecstatic jazz. Michael Wollny's trio is now on tour promoting their latest album, "Wasted & Wanted".