The festival’s Friday programme has been growing in popularity for years. More and more often, promoters were asked whether there’s a way to soak up the festival’s darkly colourful atmosphere already on Friday - to stroll through the medieval market and shopping boulevard, and attend the ever-popular readings or the disco. Well, what can we say - this 25th anniversary year, you can! As of now, Friday day tickets are available, allowing you to dive into M’era Luna from the very first (albeit smaller) festival day. Of course, Friday is already included for all weekend ticket holders.We’d also like to hint that there will be a tiny surprise lined up for Friday evening - separate from the upcoming M’era Luna Academy programme.
Spoken Word Line-up
Christian von Aster
Now over 50, Mr von Aster uses his reading to reveal a few long-guarded truths - not only about himself, but also about some of the Black Scene’s present-day icons. With an almost all-revealing confession, the lines between seduction, madness, and commercialism blur - and certain things might become clearer in retrospect. Among other revelations: had he not chosen the writer’s path, he might well have been rich and famous by now…
Lydia Benecke - “Criminal Psychology of Sexual Homicide Fantasies”
For a long time, it was believed that people with violent sexual fantasies would inevitably go on to commit such crimes. However, with the rise of the internet, it has become increasingly clear that some individuals live with these fantasies without ever committing an offence. Lydia Benecke has spent two decades talking to these people - those who have consciously decided not to act on their urges. She explores what separates them from those who do carry out violent crimes, based on her work in relapse prevention with offenders. These insights even played a key role in a real criminal case, where she took on an unusual role.
Note: Due to the subject matter involving sexual violence and related crimes, this talk is not suitable for persons under 16.
Markus Heitz - BOOK PREMIERE: ‘Die Legenden der Albae - Blutrote Himmel’
Long-time goth and elder scene-veteran, irony-sarcasm connoisseur, and always busy with the next project. Full-time storyteller, historian and Germanist by degree, occasional lyricist for QNTAL and CORVUS CORAX, multiple-time SPIEGEL bestselling author, audio drama creator, and born in 1971. He’s written over 70 books, mainly in the genres of fantasy, horror, and space fiction, with some children’s books and political short stories thrown in. A creatively manic mind. Under the alias Maxim Voland, he pens thrillers. Mad genius. Although he’s hopeless at maths and DIY - because, after all, you can’t be good at everything. About the new book: Above the Sheltered Land, Albae appear in flying machines, issuing an ultimatum: surrender a valuable stone sarcophagus and its thief - or nothing and no one will be safe from their wrath.
Dirk Bernemann
Born in 1975 in western Münsterland, Dirk Bernemann is a writer and artist. His early artistic ventures began in the late 90s with music and poetry. Since 2005, he’s been publishing novels and short story collections, including the bestseller ‘Ich hab die Unschuld kotzen sehen’ (‘I Saw Innocence Vomit’). To date, he has released 20 books, and two of his works have been adapted for the stage. In 2016, his debut play ‘Bella Noir, 2 Zigaretten Demut’ premiered in Munich. Since 2017, he’s been conducting creative writing workshops in schools and correctional facilities. His latest works, ‘Kalk’ (a novel) and ‘An Und Für Sich’ (a short story collection), were released in 2024. Bernemann currently lives in Berlin.
Crypt Talk
As certain as death and taxes - Crypt Talk returns to M’era Luna! Chris Harms (LORD OF THE LOST) and Stephan Thanscheidt (M’era Luna’s head booker) share deep insights into the music world, behind-the-scenes tidbits about our beloved festival, the music business in general, and serve up a firework of unforgettable anecdotes.
DJs
Prepare for high-calibre acts at the Warm-Up Party on Friday night and the official After-show Party on Saturday. Bruno Kramm (DAS ICH) and Dorian Deveraux (JESUS ON EXTASY) will get you into the weekend groove on Friday, while Thenia AF and Marc Urban will turn Saturday night into day.
Source: Press Release
