The MSC Security and Literature Series opens with a discussion between a celebrated author and an international government representative
Munich, February 12, 2026 – The first day of the Security and Literature Series at the Munich Security Conference focuses on Ukraine’s uncertain future. The event will take place from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (CET) at the Saal, Literaturhaus München (3rd floor, Salvatorplatz 1, 80333 München).
The discussion will bring together leading voices on Ukraine’s political, social, and cultural challenges:
Serhiy Zhadan is one of Ukraine’s most prominent contemporary authors, a poet, novelist, and musician. Born in Starobilsk in 1974, he is known for novels, poetry collections, and song lyrics that depict life in eastern Ukrainian cities, often marked by war and social tension. Awarded the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade (2022), Zhadan combines political engagement, cultural insight, and innovative language, making him an influential voice not only in literature but also in Ukrainian civil society.
Chrystia Freeland is a Canadian politician and journalist, currently serving as Special Representative for the Reconstruction of Ukraine. She is a former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Canada and Co-Chair of the Advisory Council of the Munich Security Conference. Educated in history and international studies, Freeland has worked as a correspondent and author, focusing on global economics, politics, and human rights. She is recognized for her commitment to Ukraine’s reconstruction and the promotion of democracy and press freedom worldwide.
The discussion is moderated by Volker Weidermann, a German writer, journalist, and literary critic. Born in 1977, he has worked as a cultural editor and head of the Feuilleton for leading German publications such as Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and Der Spiegel. He is the author of both nonfiction and historical narrative books, including Ostende 1936 and Lichtjahre, which examine German literature and 20th-century cultural history. Weidermann combines journalistic rigor with literary sensitivity, making him an influential voice in the German cultural scene.
The MSC Security and Literature Series is organized in partnership with DIE ZEIT and co-hosted by Literaturhaus München, providing a platform where literature, journalism, and international affairs intersect. Admission is free, but registration is required.
This opening session promises an in-depth examination of Ukraine’s path forward, highlighting the human, cultural, and political dimensions that shape its uncertain future.
From 13 to 15 February 2026, the Munich Security Conference (MSC) will once again bring together world leaders, policymakers, diplomats, experts, and representatives of civil society to discuss the most pressing challenges to international security.
On this occasion, Gianluca Costantini will follow the conference through a live illustrated reportage on social networks. Drawing in real time, Costantini will translate key moments, debates, and atmospheres of the MSC into images, offering a visual narrative that runs alongside the political discussion.
His live-drawing practice turns complex geopolitical themes into an immediate and accessible visual language, capturing not only statements and concepts, but also tensions, gestures, and the human dimension of global decision-making.
Through this illustrated live coverage, the Munich Security Conference will be observed from a unique perspective — where art, journalism, and international affairs intersect.
To contact the illustrator: email
Download high-resolution drawings: Link
The drawings of the Munich Security Conference 2025 | Gallery
