Feridun Zaimoglu (58) dropped out of Kiel University to be an artist, and began publishing literary work in the 1990s. Immediate scandalous success made him a German celebrity.
While his early work was seen as provocative due to his anti-assimilationist stance in debates on integration, he was soon able to establish himself as one of Germany’s finest wordsmiths. His 2006 novel Leyla was shortlisted for the German Book Prize and gained him an international reputation; it was translated into several languages, including an English version by Anthea Bell.
Zaimoglu has over 20 published novels to date, several longlisted for the German Book Prize, with very diverse subject-matters. As well he has written a dozen plays, including a famously controversial Othello adaptation, co-written with Günter Senkel. He is also a prolific essayist. His work has been recognized with numerous literary prizes. (2021)
Feridun Zaimoglu lives in Kiel.
Winter 2021 (Issue 16), Really, German
Winter 2014 (Issue 09), Artist for Rent