Cornelia Funke
© Francesco Rucci
Conversation

Cornelia Funke

Can imagination change the world?

12.07.2026
Admission: 16:00
Start: 17:00
Old Botanical Garden,
Live-Stream

Cornelia Funke, born in 1958 in Dorsten, is one of the most successful and influential authors of children’s and young adult literature worldwide. With her many award-winning books, including the Inkheart trilogy and Dragon Rider, she has shaped generations of readers and revitalized fantasy as a literary form.

In her stories, she creates worlds in which imagination and reality intertwine. Her characters embark on adventurous journeys that explore questions of courage, responsibility, and solidarity. In doing so, she shows that telling fantastical stories goes far beyond escapism: it opens up spaces for thought and feeling and enables new perspectives on the present.

In conversation with Nicola Steiner, the focus is on the power of imagination – and on the question: can fantasy change the world?

✨Note for parents: Children and young people are very welcome. However, please note that the discussion is not specifically designed for a young audience; rather, it is intended for adults — for the “children within us.” 😊

Moderation

Nicola Steiner

Language

German

Bookstall

Organized by the bookstore Orell Füssli

Backup venue

If the weather is bad or uncertain, the event will take place indoors at Kaufleuten.

Bar

Enjoy sandwiches, snacks and drinks at the festival bar. Open from 4 pm.

Restaurant

Treat yourself to a fine dinner after the event at Kaufleuten Restaurant, open from 6pm.

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In the next step you will be forwarded to the secure Payrexx payment page. By activating the payment process you agree to the General Terms and Conditions.
The return or exchange of an issued ticket is excluded.
For tickets that are only reserved but not yet paid for, you can cancel the tickets up to 30 days before the event via the user account on the homepage. After this deadline your tickets are valid and will be charged in case of no-show.

In the next step you will be forwarded to the secure Payrexx payment page. By activating the payment process resp. clicking the button "Reserve" you agree to the General Terms and Conditions.
The return or exchange of an issued ticket is excluded.

In the next step you will be forwarded to the secure Payrexx payment page. By activating the payment process you agree to the General Terms and Conditions.
The return or exchange of an issued ticket is excluded.

In the next step you will be forwarded to the secure Payrexx payment page. By activating the payment process you agree to the General Terms and Conditions.