Kai Engelke and Helm van Hahm 2013Kai Engelke 2004
Kai Engelke (born 1 April 1946) is a German writer,
music journalist, reciter, singer-songwriter and teacher.
Life
Kai Engelke is the son of journalist and author Jooschen Engelke (1918–1962) and painter Robin Mück-Engelke (1909–2000).
He was born in
Göttingen, grew up in
Hildesheim (Lower Saxony) as well as
Berlin, and was also based on the North Frisian Island Föhr on the German coast of the
North Sea. His formative years were marked by constant change as the family moved to different places in Germany. As a consequence, he was educated at a boarding school in
Marburg, attended grammar school in
Gießen, commenced his journalistic training with renowned German newswire dpa (
Frankfurt/Main) and eventually graduated from
Hildesheim University, majoring in educational science. Subsequently, he freelanced with Hildesheimer Presse,
tazBremen and pursued journalistic projects with radio stations such as NDR
Hannover and Radio Bremen. Over his career, Engelke has contributed essays, commentaries, novels and poetry to more than 100 anthologies.
Between 1975 and 2011, Engelke worked as primary school teacher in
Esterwegen/Emsland. From 1981 to 1988, he coordinated the Surwolder Literaturgespräche, a platform for painters, journalists, playwrights, authors and musicians to mix and mingle, attend workshops, perform and be merry. From 2001 to 2007 Engelke was the art director of Bremen-based Landesliteraturtage Niedersachsen/Bremen. Also, he has been active as art director as well as facilitator at the Meppener Krimitage (crime fiction event based in Meppen/Germany) since 2009.[1] He has been facilitating the International Liederfeste at
Burg Waldeck since 2011,[2] contributed as jury-member and was in charge of the Liederbestenliste (high score list for world music and folk releases) as well as the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik (acclaimed award for best German releases). As longstanding editor he contributed essays, reviews and commentaries for Germany-based folk and world music magazine Folker.[3]
Kai Engelke was a contributing member of the German Writers' Guild Verband Deutscher Schriftsteller (VS) between 1978 and 2014. Over and above of his membership with the Writer's Guild he also worked as executive member being in charge of matters in Lower Saxony. He has been a member of the Syndikat since 2005 – an association of German crime authors.[4]
Engelke is married to Ulrike Engelke and father of five children.
Works
Lyrics
Lärmend der Nacht entgegen, lyrics, Convent-Verlag,
Oldenburg 1977.