Tomer Dotan-Dreyfus: Gavdos

A community of Russian scientists—the Pythagoreans—has settled on the Greek island of Gavdos. It is said that they survived Chernobyl and are therefore convinced of their own immortality. Journalist Gilad senses a good story and travels to the island to learn more about them. In a barren landscape between abandoned mountain villages and the sea, Gilad encounters the mysterious opera singer Elina, an Orthodox priest, a German avant-garde poet, enlightened members of the commune—and countless goats. The longer he stays, the harder it becomes for him to distinguish between reality and fiction.

With quirky characters, a mysterious atmosphere, and subtle humor,Gavdostells of the longing for eternal life—and in doing so, poses profound questions about meaning, mortality, and human existence.

Tomer Dotan-Dreyfuswrites in both Hebrew and German and has lived in Berlin since 2011 as a freelance author, poet, and translator. His debut novel,*Birobidzhan*, was nominated for the German Book Prize in 2023.

Moderator:
Henrik Szántólives in Hanover as an author, spoken-word artist, and moderator.