Dear Audience,
Yesterday, the 25th international literature festival berlin came to a close. For 14 days, 90 authors from more than 50 countries lit up Berlin with literature.
Under this year’s festival theme, GLOW, a special brilliance filled the Berliner Festspiele – with major voices of world literature who have shaped the festival since its beginnings, alongside exciting new discoveries. They moved and inspired us, let us experience the diversity of international literature in full houses, and reminded us how vital it is, especially now, to have spaces for shared reflection and understanding.
Our Curator in Residence, Cristina Rivera Garza, set the tone in her opening speech »Breathing in Unison« – inviting us into a communal experience of literature. That sense of togetherness carried on far beyond the stage – in the Festival Kitchen, in book club gatherings, and across Berlin’s many literary communities.
For our anniversary, we couldn’t have wished for more.
Our deepest thanks go to you, our audience, for your loyalty, curiosity, and enthusiasm.
25,000 visitors joined this milestone festival – embracing new works and foreign languages, and patiently waiting for a signed copy of their new favorite book. We are overjoyed that even more people discovered the festival this year and that we could inspire new readers for the ilb. This response strengthens us for the tasks ahead, affirms our work – and confirms our belief that spaces like the international literature festival berlin are more needed than ever.
Young Program
In the Young Program, a record number of about 9,000 children and young people met international authors, including opening speaker Candy Gourlay, who moved the audience with her address »We Walk with the Stories of our Past«. The first family reading at the Graphic Novel Day was also well received, bringing together many parents and their children. In cooperation with Theater an der Parkaue, a new format was successfully introduced: a staged reading that brought the young adult novel »Elektrizität und Himmelsfische« [trans. Olga Radetzkaja and Henriette Reisner] to life.
The anniversary program continues into October. On October 22, 2025, Booker Prize winner Arundhati Roy will celebrate the German premiere of her memoir »Meine Zuflucht und mein Sturm« [trans. Anette Grube] at the Deutsches Theater Berlin.
October 22, 2025 | Deutsches Theater Berlin
Arundhati Roy »Meine Zuflucht und mein Sturm«
A limited number of tickets may be available at the box office.
Photo Gallery Online
Browse through the festival’s most beautiful moments in our photo gallery.
Voices on the Anniversary
For the 25th birthday, many authors, companions, and friends sent us their congratulations. A selection of these messages can be found here.
Join Us Online
20 events were streamed and are still available to watch online.
Just in time for the anniversary, we also launched our podcast »read, read, read« – featuring highlights from 25 years of festival history. Available wherever you get your podcasts.
Get Involved
Your voice matters! To keep the festival as vibrant as ever, we warmly invite you to take part in our audience survey. Share your impressions, wishes, and ideas – it only takes a few minutes: Take part now.
Looking Ahead
After the festival is before the festival:
The 26th international literature festival berlin will take place from September 3 to 16, 2026.
Program: September 3 – 12
Young Program: September 7–16
We’re already looking forward to seeing you again!
Warmly,
Lavinia Frey, Festival Director
and the ilb-Team