Reading: Daniel Schmidt - Lion's Den

In his book "Lion's Den", Daniel Schmidt, owner of Hamburg's Elbschlosskeller, embarks on a search for happiness, hope, and life's meaning - in places where you'd least expect to find them. With great candour, he recounts the highs and lows of his own life, the everyday reality of his neighbourhood, and the "lion's dens" he has repeatedly found himself in. At the heart of his narrative are questions about faith, love, and personal purpose.

The Elbschlosskeller, which Schmidt runs, is a place where people from all walks of life meet: the homeless alongside millionaires, sex workers alongside clergy, former prisoners alongside law enforcement. During the pandemic, he founded the association "Who, if not us", which supports socially disadvantaged people.

The book brings together stories of people who found meaning despite adverse circumstances - but also stories of failure and loss.

Daniel Schmidt was born in 1984 in Hamburg. As the son of publican Lothar Schmidt, he grew up in the St. Pauli district, first trained as a carpenter, and over the years became a bestselling author.