Our contributors
The team managing LeipGlo.com or producing our content embody the glocal spirit of this webzine. All are based in increasingly cosmopolitan Leipzig or have a strong connection to the city, and also international experience. They sport diverse nationalities, backgrounds and interests. They’ll be regularly taking on topics they’re passionate about from their own unique, hybridized perspectives – combining the local and international (global) elements they’ve gathered along their own trajectories. Expect opinion pieces, reviews and other event- or show-specific posts, poetry and short stories, and tips on how to navigate daily life as a world citizen and Leipzig resident.
We hold monthly editorial meetings at Basislager Coworking, our operations hub. Readers will be invited to some of them, to meet our contributors and brainstorm story ideas.
Managing Team
Ana Beatriz Ribeiro
Where are you from and what do you do?
I’ve hopped around from Brazil to the US, Denmark, Poland and then Germany. I’m a journalist and Global Studies scholar who has taken yet another crazy leap, into the world of running my own business.
What do you do for LeipGlo?
I manage and edit all content on LeipGlo.com and our social media. I strategize, liaise with contributors, readers and clients, and organize and attend events. When possible, I also play general assignment reporter.
What are your hobbies?
Traveling, watching movies, singing, being Bohemian with friends, riding my bike into the wild, spending lazy weekend afternoons contemplating life and feeling emotionally hungover.
What are you in search of?
Balance!
Daniel Leon
Where are you from and what do you do?
Trained political scientist and failed class-clown who changed the mountains of Merida, Venezuela for those of Germany.
What do you do for LeipGlo?
When I am not trying to make LeipGlo a sustainable business, I’ll write (with a pinch of humor) about global political issues and sports.
What are your hobbies?
I love watching football, reading the news, and hanging out over a beer.
What are you in search of?
The perfect burger and a good beer!
Writers: Arts
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Maeshelle West-Davies
maeshelle west-davies. (Photo: Sarah Alai) Where are you from and what do you do?
My mother never met a stranger. I’m not quite my mother, but I am quite personable. Or is that just my American showing? It worked for me living in the UK too. Here, it depends on the crowd.What do you do for LeipGlo?
As an artist, curator and writer, my work for Leipzig Glocal involves giving you a look into the arts and culture scene and the people behind it.What are your hobbies?
I’m not sure artists have time for hobbies. We kind of live our work.What are you in search of?
I just want to be present. I want to experience the untainted now. Drink in the moment.
Nils Müller
Woher kommst du und was machst du?
Geboren in Leipzig lebe ich schreibend hier.
Was machst du für LeipGlo?
Ich helfe den Menschen Leipzig über seine Künstler näher zu bringen.
Was sind deine Hobbies?
Die Erholung in der Gartenarbeit.
Was suchst du?
Den Stein der Weisen in einem Haufen Sand.
Elizabeth Gerdeman
Where are you from and what do you do?
Artist and educator hailing from the USA.
What do you do for LeipGlo?
Covering societal issues, arts and culture.
What are your hobbies?
Nature enthusiast, non-fiction reader, intense conversationalist, occasional vocal stylist.
What are you in search of?
Adventures, good questions and open-minded people with a wry sense of humor.
Natasha Carrasco Stillman
Teacher, thinker, voyager, dreamer, feminist, author, Renaissance woman, Natasha Carrasco Stillman hails from New Zealand and the United States. Although her academic field is International Relations, Natasha is an avid musician, having received her musical instruction in piano, violin and percussion at the Cleveland Institute of Music, as well as in bass guitar at The University of Otago in New Zealand. She spent several years in the Cleveland Orchestra’s Youth Orchestra under Jahja Ling, where she had the great honor to be directed by Kurt Masur. As a child, she also took ballet at the Cleveland Institute of Dance under Alex Martin. Natasha is interested in everything, works hard and plays hard.
Writers: Society & Politics
Prof. Helena Flam
Where are you from and what do you do?
I’m a nomad who got stuck in Leipzig as a professor of sociology.
What do you do for LeipGlo?
I cite from my mind’s travelling logs.
What are your hobbies?
Exploring. Sightseeing. I’m a great consumer of fiction, and like good art exhibits, an occasional concert, film and biking.
What are you in search of?
I think I stopped looking.
Harald Köpping Athanasopoulos
Where are you from and what do you do?
Born and raised in Leipzig, I work with migrants and refugees at an adult education centre.
What do you do for LeipGlo?
I love Leipzig so I write articles about our city. Occasionally I’ll also write on other stuff like politics, space or the weather.
What are your hobbies?
Scuba diving, star gazing, reading and spending time with my family.
What are you in search of?
I’m always happy to meet people with challenging views to have fun conversations with.
Writers: Lifestyle
Chrissy Orlowski
Where are you from and what do you do?
I am a cultural analyst, and I’m from southern Ontario in the land of maple syrup, hockey, moose, and bears.
What do you do for LeipGlo?
I encourage others to check it out, and I also enjoy writing about food, drinks, and the cultures involved.
What are your hobbies?
Watching Star Trek: TNG, lots of other sci-fi, and Gilmore Girls. I also read sci-fi and some other genres. I love to cook and bake – yes, I’m learning how to make German desserts.
What are you in search of?
Creating incredible memories.
Kapuczino
A cosmopolitan butterfly that feels at home where people are friendly and coffee is strong. As a person with a wide range of interests and a low attention span, he succumbs to the charm of novelty all too readily. Literature, film, photography and politics on Mondays, playing dead and g(r)ooming dogs on Tuesdays. Hand him a beer and he’ll talk about football, tell him a lie and he’ll tell you two.
Holly Doran
Where are you from and what do you do?
I am originally from Ireland but grew up in England. Sadly, I’ve lost my charming Irish accent but retained what really matters: my Brexit-proof passport. Nowadays, I work as a Market Research Analyst for ProVeg, an NGO looking to reduce the consumption of animal products by 50% by 2040.
What do you do for LeipGlo?
I write articles about my off-the-beaten track adventures, as well as the odd article full of praise for cities or establishments that do a swell job, as they say across the pond, of catering for food-obsessed vegans like myself.
What are your hobbies?
Running, cycling, exploring, reading history books, finding humour in as many things as possible, drinking IPA and putting marmite on everything.
What are you in search of?
Decent plant-based cheese and more cool shit from “zu verschenken” boxes to add to my ever-growing collection.
Alfred Weis
Where are you from and what do you do?
Born in Germany (Cologne area), transplanted to the U.S during early teenage years, returning to Germany in my early thirties. Currently working freelance, mostly as an English trainer for firms or for local colleges / universities. I sometimes do translation work as well.
What do you do for LeipGlo?
I recently joined LeipGlo and have been writing articles on sports. Future articles might include fields outside of sports as well.
What are you hobbies?
I like outdoor activities, mixing up tennis with an occasional game of golf. I also like my music, meeting people, traveling and reading.
What are you in search of?
Too many things to really list them all! “Peace within myself” is one of them.
Writers: Culture & Entertainment
Lito Seizani
Where are you from and what do you do?
Translator-writer from Athens, currently working in Leipzig.
What do you do for LeipGlo?
Enjoy writing about culture (books, art, films) and travel.
What are your hobbies?
Reading literature, writing poetry, visiting museums, learning languages.
What are you in search of?
The “ideal bench!”
Adam Carrington
Adam Carrington is a writer of literary fiction, journalism, and creative non-fiction. He has been in Leipzig working on his first novel, Happy Moon, and has a degree in Journalism from Edinburgh Napier University. He plays guitar in Glasgow-based indie band, Glassbooks, and used to host the Pizza Lab Open Mic in Leipzig.
Svetlana Lavochkina
Where are you from and what do you do?
A Ukrainian with a 20-year track record in Germany, native Russian speaker writing in English and translating Ukrainian poetry. I walk the classical borderline between a teacher and a writer.
What do you do for LeipGlo?
I do all sorts of multilingual literary acrobatic mischief, ranging from a stanza to judging a quadrilingual contest.
What are your hobbies?
An ardent baker of crazy cakes.
What are you in search of?
Perfect poetry (border)lines.
Ravi Gautam
Ravi is a director and scriptwriter based in Leipzig. He is a member of the Deutsche Akademie für Fernsehen. He has submitted a PhD thesis in Physics, and on his spare time enjoys singing, mountain climbing, nature, story writing, and, of course, watching films. Ravi is active in animal protection campaigns, and he also supports the Nabhangan Foundation in India, which works for farmers.
Writers: Themed columns
#TechTavern
Taylor Harvey
Where are you from and what do you do?
A Chicago native who loves building creative communities and meaningful learning experiences.
What do you do for LeipGlo?
I love sharing the stories of awesome people and discussing creative culture.
What are you hobbies?
When I’m not creating something, I love playing basketball and strategy board games, and uncovering the truths of life.
What are you in search of?
Hungry people who live communal values with entrepreneurial spirit.
Ned O’Hara
Where are you from and what do you do?
I’m a Student Londoner who joyfully spews tech-enthusiasm into the face of everyone he meets.
What do you do for LeipGlo?
When I’m not studying my arse off, I write for #TechTavern as an excuse to project my love for what I’m learning in my course of study: Digital Humanities, at the Uni Leipzig. (I’m also the devil that sits on Ana’s shoulder when no-one’s watching.)
What are your hobbies?
Building diverse creative communities, putting together guitar solos and throwing a basketball around in Connewitz.
What are you in search of?
Creative-minded people looking to throw down projects, ideas and revolutions over a beer.
Ask Dr. Amorous
Doctor Amorous
Look no further.
Are you troubled, in trouble, having trouble, making trouble? Dr. Amorous will help you out. She is a scientist of sexuality, a reader of relationships, a lector of love, the boss of behavior and the doom of dysfunction. Whether you are straight, queer, kinky or traditional, Dr. Amorous will push her glasses up her nose and rumple her lab coat, just for you.
Visuals
Sarah Alai
Where are you from and what do you do?
I’m from the sunny strands of Los Angeles and somehow ended up here in Leipzig as a photographer.
What do you do for LeipGlo?
When I am not practicing yoga and trying to get my foot behind my head, I capture glimpses and moments in time on my camera.
What are your hobbies?
Does scrolling on Instagram count?
What are you in search of?
I’m searching for stillness in the present moment.
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