Crime Scene Ruhr: terribly exciting

"Murder on the Hellweg - Crime Scene Ruhr" is the title of the 5th bi-annual "Murder on the Hellweg" mystery festival. The programme includes more than 180 events featuring over 400 readings by around 600 authors from all over the world.

The Hellweg Crime Express will arrive in Dortmund on 10 October 2010, the “Murder on Hellweg” Family Day. On that day the City and Regional Library will be the location for a big crime literature station.
Photo: Nils Martens

The festival is named after the old Hellweg road which roughly follows the A40/A44 motorways. Because of the European Capital of Culture RUHR.2010 the festival will extend into the Ruhr metropolis this year to include locations in cities like Essen, Duisburg, Bochum and Gelsenkirchen. An added attraction: For the first time ever, an international "Crime University" will open its doors this summer, offering dialogue forums, writing workshops and seminars on the mystery genre.

One of the great literary events

The festival has become one of Europe's biggest literary events and has drawn big names, including ValMcDermid (Scotland), Hàkan Nesser (Sweden), Richard Stark (USA), Leonardo Padura (Cuba), Petros Markaris (Greece), James Sallis (USA), Jo Nesbø (Norway), Claudia Pineiro (Argentina), Deon Meyer (South Africa), Simon Beckett (England) and Garry Disher (Australia).

The Swiss author Linus Reichlin at a reading in 2008 in the Dortmund Depot, which will also be a performance venue in 2010.
Photo: Nils Martens

Ruins, mines, jails

This year's programme, again featuring many international top authors, will take place at many extraordinary sites such as the ruins of castles, mines, old churches and new museums, police headquarters and jails, ships, industrial and yacht harbours, classy restaurants and golf clubs - all of them providing intriguing contrasts to the readings.

Prize for Mystery Writing

The European Prize for Mystery Writing, first won by Henning Mankell, will be awarded again this year. Authors from 20 countries will be contributing to a specially published collection of mystery tales. September 18 - November 13, 2010