Renowned German author Cornelia Funke took the stage at the Open Books Festival on 12 October 2026 to share excerpts from her newly released children’s book. The reading, set against a backdrop of natural motifs, highlighted Funke’s long‑standing interest in weaving environmental themes into narrative storytelling.
Following the reading, Funke participated in a moderated conversation in which she explained the creative process behind her latest work. She described how a shift in perspective—often likened to stepping into a garden—allows her to perceive the world anew and gives rise to the personalities that populate her stories.
“Ich bin der Typ Gärtner,” Funke said, emphasizing her self‑identification as a cultivator of characters and ideas.
The author noted that the characters in her new book arrived during moments of quiet observation of nature, suggesting that the act of listening to the environment can spark narrative inspiration. She also mentioned that the festival’s setting, designed to evoke the magic of the natural world, provided an ideal atmosphere for both the reading and the ensuing discussion.
Organisers of the Open Books Festival praised Funke’s contribution, noting that her presence underscored the event’s focus on literary creativity intertwined with ecological awareness. Attendees left the session with a deeper appreciation for the ways in which authors translate the subtleties of the natural world into stories for young readers.