A discussion with Agata Koch about the story "Magnolia"

Join us for a discussion with Agata Koch, focusing on her story “Magnolia.” Moderator: Ewa Maria Slaska Agata Koch (born 1964 in Lublin) – Germanist, author, photographer, and founder of the Polish Language Café – SprachCafé Polnisch in Berlin (2012), a space for meetings, education, and culture. She has lived in Berlin since 1990. Author of the bilingual collection “Du duftest wie die Sonne / Pachniesz słońcem” and the story “Magnolia.” “Magnolia” is a story by Agata Koch with distinct autobiographical elements. The book guides the reader through memories of childhood, adolescence, and later life experiences between Poland and Berlin, weaving a personal story with the backdrop of historical changes in Europe. At the heart of the narrative are questions of identity, memory, life’s path, and the courage to make one’s own decisions. With sensitivity and attentiveness, the author observes everyday life, interpersonal relationships, and the significance of encounters that can change the course of a life. She suggests a connection between the Polish Language Café—SprachCafé Polnisch in Berlin—and a special place in Podlasie, whose mystery she was only able to unravel during the writing process. “Magnolia” encourages readers to reflect on their own history and to take a creative look at their experiences and choices.