Dear Audience,
fourteen unforgettable festival days come to an end. With outstanding authors from all over the world and a Curator in Residence, we have been able to expand our profile as a dynamic and innovative festival. We received much appreciation for our bold thematic choices and the openness to create spaces for literary and political dialogue.
Our big thanks go to you, dear audience. Your loyalty, curiosity, and enthusiasm have shaped this festival into a vibrant space for exchange and mutual inspiration.
19,500 visitors attended our events over these fourteen days, embracing the unknown and untranslated, waiting in line at the signing table for a copy of their new favorite book, and discussing until late into the night in the festival kitchen. I was also continually amazed by the many children and teenagers who, every morning, filled the halls of the festival location with life, captivated by a wide range of stories. I am deeply encouraged by the numerous messages from authors expressing their gratitude and joy at having been part of this unique festival.
A special thank you goes to our Curator in Residence, Helon Habila, who reflected:
»This has been an awesome experience. Everyone did their bit to make the festival a success, from the authors to the volunteers, staff, and audience, and they did it with so much joy and grace. It is humbling to me to know that I played a part in this. This was life-changing for me. I feel happy that it was successful, but sad that it has come to an end. As curator I felt it was my job to create a positive environment for the authors and the audience and I think I did that.«
After the festival is before the festival: Looking ahead to 2025
A quarter century of ilb! The 25th international literature festival berlin will take place from September 11 to 24, 2025. Please save the following dates:
25th ilb
11 – 20 Sep 2025 Programm
15 – 24 Sep 2025 Junges Programm
And even between festivals, ilb continues with exceptional literary events. On November 18, the 2024 winner of the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, Anne Applebaum, will celebrate the German premiere of her book Autocracy, Inc. at Deutsches Theater Berlin.
On behalf of the entire team at the international literature festival berlin, I would like to thank you once again from the bottom of my heart. It has been a moving and inspiring festival – and we are already looking forward to welcoming you back soon.
Warm regards,
Lavinia Frey
Festival Director
international literature festival berlin
