Readings, Textland Festival and new literary quartet in Darmstadt
Under the motto "Hope," the Darmstadt Literature House launches its autumn 2026 program. Guests include Katerina Poladjan, Ingo Schulze, Eva Menasse, and Julia Franck. A highlight is the "Textland" literature festival, which will take place in Darmstadt for the first time on November 7. The program concludes in December with the premiere of a new Literature House quartet.
The series of author evenings listed in the program begins on September 23 with Katerina Poladjan, winner of the Leipzig Book Fair Prize. Ingo Schulze, President of the German Academy for Language and Literature, follows on October 21. Eva Menasse will be a guest on November 3, and Julia Franck on November 10.
“Textland” for the first time in Darmstadt
A major highlight is the "Textland" literature festival on Saturday, November 7th. Numerous authors will gather at the Literaturhaus from 3 pm to 9 pm.
Among those announced are Georg Büchner Prize winner Ursula Krechel, Karosh Taha, Ilma Rakusa, literary critic Helmut Böttiger, and Dana Vowinckel. Also participating is Maryam Kishawarz, a scholarship recipient of the city of Darmstadt and the PEN Writers-in-Exile program. Daniel Schreiber is also part of the program.
Evening commemorates Margot Friedländer
On November 17th , an evening with Markus C. Hurek will be dedicated to Margot Friedländer. Titled "Margot Friedländer: A Voice for Life," the event will focus on the Holocaust survivor and her message of humanity and tolerance.
For school classes in grades 8 to 13, the event is also offered as part of "HUCH, EIN BUCH! Plus" (Oops, a Book! Plus) . This program includes photographs by Hurek and quotes from Margot Friedländer. The student price is four euros.
Another evening will focus on Horst Lauinger's almost 1000-page work "I Have a Dream", which brings together different perspectives on American democracy on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the USA.
Two evenings of the Darmstadt Text Workshop
The Darmstadt Text Workshop is also represented with two events. On November 4th , Friederike Berg's new novel "Der Riss" (The Crack) will be presented. On December 2nd , "Käferfunde. Den Wald herbeireden: gemeinsam" (Beetle Finds: Conjuring Up the Forest: Together) by Sofie Morin and Silke Scheffel will follow.
Both events begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be moderated by Michael Hüttenberger and Kurt Drawert, the head of the writing workshop. Admission is free.
New Literature House Quartet to conclude
The autumn program concludes on December 8th with the premiere of the Literaturhaus Quartet. This new format presents selected books of the year in interaction with the audience.
Regular readings begin at 7 p.m.Tickets cost €11.50 in advance, or €9.50 for concessions. Remaining tickets are available at the door. The complete autumn program and further information about individual events can be found on the Literaturhaus website. Tickets are also available through ztix and other public ticket outlets.
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/stip)
