The project Erophil originated in the experience that erotic literature in Germany still has a shadowy existence because it is wrongfully looked down upon.

In France people are proud of their contemporary authors as for example Olivier Py, Philippe Dijan oder Pauline Réage. Representatives of the Academie Française are allowed to confess their affinity for erotic literature without having to fear a loss of image. By contrast in Germany, reading and being interested in erotic literature is still considered somewhat offensive. As long as a certain opus is not labelled „a classic of world literature“, as for example Marquis de Sade or Jean Genet, it is only available – if at all – in certain, often out of the way, corners of a bookshop. The bookseller will, in addition, gaze at his customer in a way which one might regard as something between doubtful and clearly disapproving.

Erophil will drag the genre out of this niche and acquaint a diverse audience with the artistic range of classical and modern erotic literature. We think it's worth it. Moreover through the festival we shall provide the opportunity for the exchange of specialist expertise.

Besides, we will not let ourselves be limited by the boundaries which are set so often between homo- and heterosexual literature but display the whole spectrum of the genre.