Ulrich Tukur: Mark Twain – Grüße aus dem Jenseits

Harbor Front Literary Festivals 2026.

Mark Twain's "American Dream" of social mobility paradoxically occurred with and through his sharp criticism of the "American Way of Life," slavery, and racism. And, of course, with the invention of two world-famous characters: Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.

Since his death in 1910, Mark Twain, once world-famous for "Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn," has been restlessly traveling through the galaxies of the universe. Leaving the gates of paradise and heaven behind, his spirit merges with the very earthly Ulrich Tukur and travels with him through cities, telling people about his adventures and leaving behind surprising greetings from beyond the grave.

Mark Twain's humor is accompanied by the popular music of his time: Ragtime, the combination of European march music with the music of Black people, a precursor to jazz.

Ulrich Tukur: “Mark Twain was modern then and he still is. He had a very good heart and was a very, very keen observer of human nature. I think he was a great person. He's always funny, always irreverent, always a humanist. Today's America could use someone like him.” Having risen to prominence through his collaboration with theater director Peter Zadek, Ulrich Tukur is—also through numerous films and television appearances—one of Germany's best-known actors. Formerly engaged at the Hamburg Schauspielhaus, he has a long-standing collaboration with the St. Pauli Theater.

Afterwards, things get quite personal: Ulrich Tukur and Joachim Lux talk about Mark Twain and America, but above all – surprise – about their shared, bloody beginnings in the world of theater. And they're looking forward to their reunion in Hamburg: 45 years and a whole theatrical career later! Let's see what comes to light...