Larissa Bender studied islamic studies, ethnology, history of arts and sociology in Cologne and Berlin and spent many years in Syria as part of her studies. She translates Arabic literature from Arabic into German and teaches Arabic. She also works as a journalist and edited 2 anthologies about politics and culture in Syria. Apart from that, she regularly moderates evens with authors, creates reader’s reports for Arabic literature and advises publishers and organisers of cultural events.