Last weekend the German translation of the new Harry Potter book „Harry Potter and the cursed child“ was released. In order to celebrate this release the German publisher, the Carlsen-Verlag, had organized a party, the so-called „Harry Potter Reading Night“.

Thanks to my internship at KlassikRadio I was able to take part in this event. Of course I also had to „work“ a bit: The radio station will send something about the event on Monday and there will also be an online article. So, besides enjoying the night I was also wandering around with my microphone, asking people questions about the event and Harry Potter.

I have more or less grown up with the Harry Potter books and when the movies came out I was about the same age as the main characters. I have to admit that I had read the new book before this release party already in English. You might have seen my post here. Since I was too impatient to wait for the German translation I had started to read Harry Potter in English when the 5th book was published.

The night was wonderful. Together with a friend I arrived. The location had been transformed into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. At the entry the „sorting hat“ was waiting and we were sorted into house Ravenclaw.

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The night started with a short speech where we were reminded of the house rules. Afterwards publisher Renate Herre welcomed the crowd.

And then it was time for the Triwizard Tournament. Guests had been able to throw their names into the „Goblet of Fire“ and now one name was drawn from it for each house. The four champions had to compete in 3 tasks:

  1. Prove that you are not a muggle. This was a quiz, where the champions were challenged in their knowledge of the wizarding world.
  2.  The feared test in spells. A situation was described to the champions and they had to name the correct spell.
  3. Table-Quidditch. The champions had to throw a ball through Quidditch-rings into some plastic cups.

Slytherin won the tournament.

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Afterwards it was time for food. The upper floor had been turned into the „Great Hall“. With tables, benches …. and a buffet with various food from the wizarding world: „Hagrid’s Mini Pumpkin Pie“, „Madam Puddifoot’s Scones“ (with redcurrant jam), „Mrs. Weasley’s Potato-Pimpkin-Tarte“, „Ron’s Afternoon Sandwich“ and „Prof Sprout’s Veggie Pie“.

Of course there were also drinks: They offered normal „muggle-dinkgs“ such as lemonade and coffee but there was also the opportunity to try Polyjuice Potion or Amortentia.

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Next came a video greeting from publisher Barry Cunningham, who can be seen as the „discoverer“ of Harry Potter . Afterwards we were able to listen to the last chapter from „Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows“, read by actor Hans Schernthaner.

It was always midnight when he ended. A clock-ticking started and all guests did a countdown together.

At midnight it was finally time to unveil the books and Hans Schernthaner went on to read the first chapter of the new Harry Potter book.

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It was a wonderful night and a lot of fun. Time went by very fast. As I already mentioned, I was also walking around with a microphone and I was able to record some really great commets: „magical“, „great atmosphere“, „decorated with so much love“ were just some of the very positive responses I heard.