Peer Jongeling: "Emil:ia"

Author Peer Jongeling in conversation with Marija Bakker.

It's kind of crazy how sure you can feel about a decision. Sure that you will never change your mind. But the only sure thing in life is change.

Peer Jongeling, after her 2020 work "Hattest du eigentlich schon die Operation" published by Jaja on the topic of transgender, now presents a comprehensive graphic novel.

In this story, we learn how introverted transman Emil does not feel at home in his female body and finds himself on the path of a transition into his own gender. The decision to undergo his long-awaited breast adjustment is marked by doubts, conversations with his own reflection, the struggle for acceptance in his own environment and the exchange with his best friend Ari. In addition, there is the new roommate Lisa, who is beautiful and self-confident in Emil's eyes, but completely turns his world upside down. What exactly is behind his gender identity? What can an operation change? And how does one deal with having perhaps made a huge mistake?

The illustrator and comic artist Peer Jongeling, born in Bremen in 1996, studied communication design and storytelling in Düsseldorf and Brussels. Her works deal with topics such as gender, LGBT+ and feminism. In October 2022, her latest comic, "Emil:ia," was published. Currently she works as a freelance illustrator, gives workshops and readings, and is always involved in new comic projects.

Marija Bakker, born in 1972, is a freelance journalist. She works for various literary and science magazines for NDR and WDR and presents programs that inform both children and adults in an entertaining way. Her special love is radio, where she presents "Quarks" on WDR 5 and various book programs, such as "Bücher, das Literaturmagazin" and the "Hörbuchmagazin".

An event in the context of the Litfest homochrom.

The event is supported by 360° - Fonds für Kulturen der neuen Stadtgesellschaft.