I Drown in the Waters of My Own Love

Rilke's Last Lover

On the centenary of Rainer Maria Rilke's death, Booker Prize winner Julia Franck (including The Noon Woman) approaches the poet's last lover in her new book. She tells the story of female obsession: in 1920, painter Baladine Klossowska meets Rilke again - after a brief affair, he distances himself from her. She seeks closeness and companionship, losing herself in love for him; he needs silence to write.

An evening about Rilke, his lover, and the book I Drown in the Waters of My Own Love (Pfaueninsel 2026) - in a duo with actor Christian Berkel.