Guided Journey: Schreiber Travels from the Elbe to the Nile
Hamburg's 17th Crime Festival Lures Audience into Aformentioned Egypt
Journalist Maike Schiller sets the tone for the 17th Hamburg Crime Festival with a nod from "Tagesschau" host, Constantin Schreiber, in his usual 8PM greeting. This time, Schreiber sits as a guest and author alongside Schiller, making his debut as a crime novelist with his book "Kleopatras Grab."
Donning a black rollneck sweater and standing tall with poise, the formal and precise demeanor of the "Tagesschau" host shines through, yet feels far from stiff. The evening is filled with humor and genuine interest in Egyptian culture. Schreiber frequently expresses his fascination with the land of the pyramids. He waxes lyrical about lush gardens filled with palm trees, flamingos strolling, the Pyramids of Giza, and the Nile. "Assuan truly captivates," he says.
Constantin Schreiber AKA Constantin Cullen
There he sits, the "Tagesschau" host, appearing slightly different to his screen persona - captivating nonetheless - a touch Edward Cullen-esque from Twilight lore. His complexion seems a bit paler under the spotlight of the Kulturfabrik Kampnagel. Yet, his literary resumé is far from pale. It includes non-fiction books, advice manuals, and novels. Many of these works delve into the Middle East or Islam. Now, a crime novel has joined the list. Genre-wise, it represents a departure into uncharted territories as the narrative of "Kleopatras Grab" unfolds in his preferred setting: the Middle East. Specifically, in Alexandria, Egypt.
Schreiber Moderates Arabic TV Format in Egypt
Familiar with Egypt, Schreiber fluently speaks Arabic outside of his work as a journalist and has visited the region numerous times, covering it in various forms. Egypt, according to Schreiber, holds a special place in his memory.
Since 2012, Schreiber has moderated the TV educational format "SciTech" on the Egyptian channel OnTV. He recalls that many viewers initially believed he was a foreign journalist dubbing Arabic for the widely known program. He shares that it amused him when people were surprised to find him speaking Arabic fluently in real life.
The experiences and understanding of Egyptians, his ethnographic knowledge, and meticulously researched historical, social, and religious insights from Alexandria breathe life into the novel.
Murder of a Priest
The protagonist, Theodora Costanda, is a Christian, part of Egypt's Greek minority, and identifies as an Alexandrinian. She embodies the unique societal quirks of this historically enchanting metropolis. This social outcast status makes her an unyielding detective who never gives up. The investigation into the murder of a priest from St. Nicholas Church thrusts her between family feuds, the Mafia, and greedy archaeologists.
Schreiber explains that the idea for his book grew from research on Egypt, and the novel's ending was no surprise to him. "I had a very clear image in mind of what the narrative would entail," he adds.
A Love Letter to Alexandria
"Kleopatras Grab" is thus also a personal project from the "Tagesschau" man. It serves as Schreiber's love letter to Alexandria and the Middle East. A testament to its complexity and versatility, often overshadowed by its troubled reputation in the European consciousness. Schiller and Schreiber leisurely guide the audience through an evening painted with mental images of Egypt, with Schreiber narrating chilling tales with a warm, inviting tone.
In a unique twist, the acclaimed journalist and "Tagesschau" host Constantin Schreiber, known as Constantin Cullen, ventures into a new genre with his crime novel "Kleopatras Grab." This book, set in Alexandria, Egypt, is not only a departure from his usual non-fiction work but also reflects his deep fascination and familiarity with the Middle East, as he fluently speaks Arabic and has moderated an Egyptian TV educational format since 2012. The novel, filled with intrigue and the complexities of Egypt's societal quirks, serves as a personal love letter to Alexandria, shedding light on its often overlooked versatility in the European consciousness.
Schreiber's literary exploration of Egypt also extends to the realm of entertainment, as he discusses books, movies-and-tv, celebrities, pop-culture, and social-media throughout the 17th Hamburg Crime Festival. His debut as a crime novelist, following his formal and precise demeanor as a journalist, seems to have a touch of Edward Cullen-esque charm from Twilight lore, adding another layer of excitement to his literary resumé.
The evening at the Hamburg Crime Festival is filled with a nod to Egypt's rich history and culture, making it a gathering point for enthusiasts of books, movies-and-tv, and the mysteries they hold, reinforcing the festival's role as a hub for entertainment and stories.
