Famous in East Germany, Unknown in Ireland?

Free of charge, no prior registration needed.

Seats are limited; please arrive early if you need to sit down.

Elizabeth Shaw (1920-1992) was a Belfast-born artist who became one of the most popular children’s book authors and illustrators in East Germany. She remains a continuing influence and may be seen as an embodiment of Irish-British-German cultural relations. In her works, which are among the classics of German children’s literature, she brought a sense of Irishness and innovative creative ideas to post-WWII Berlin, informed by her experience of Ireland and of 1940’s cosmopolitan London. She reflects on this in her memoir, How I came to Berlin, published for the first time in English in 2025.

You can find more information about the event programme and panelists here