Dear audience,
After the great success of last year’s anniversary program, I asked myself: how can we build on it and continue it, or perhaps make it even better?
It’s simple. Because authors write. Time and again they put wonderful new texts on paper, all over the world. We have read vast quantities of such texts for you, spoken with publishers, gathered recommendations from colleagues at festivals on every continent, and voilà:
From 3 to 12 September 2026, Berlin will become the center of international contemporary literature for the 26th time. Look forward to more than 100 writers from around 40 countries. 240 participants from literature, music, scholarship and society will shape some 150 events – including readings, panels, performances and workshops.
The festival’s highlights include readings and conversations with Nobel laureate in literature Han Kang, Christian Kracht with Katie Kitamura, Cornelia Funke, Christopher Clark with Andreas Kossert, Dave Eggers, Adania Shibli, Douglas Stuart, Vigdis Hjorth and Amitav Ghosh. Numerous actors will bring the German texts to life, among them Ulrich Matthes, Martina Gedeck and Charly Hübner.
Festival motto «You are born with your face turned everywhere»
The unique power of literature lies in immersing yourself for a while in an entirely different life. This year’s festival motto takes up this radical openness to new perspectives that connects readers and writers. The motto is reflected in a festival program that crosses the boundaries of disciplines and genres like never before: literature from prose to poetry, from graphic novel to searc-and-find picture book, meets jazz and chamber music, performance and dance at the 26th ILB. I am convinced that, in a highly interconnected yet increasingly bewildering world, the festival creates curated oases of attention. We want to offer you depth.
The festival within the festival: Curator in Residence Jeet Thayil
For the festival’s 26th edition, the ILB is expanding the Curator in Residence program, introduced in 2024, into a festival within the festival. The Indian writer, poet and musician Jeet Thayil describes his program as a «jam session» in which different art forms and cultures meet to create unique stage experiences on the spot. At the heart of his ten events are collaboration, improvisation and the singularity of artistic performance. With his guests, among them Eileen Myles, Tishani Doshi and Mohammed Hanif, Thayil explores the connection between writing and performance and asks about the role of artistic collaboration in a globalized world. For the first time in the festival’s history, authors will also perform together with the ILB House Band, a jazz trio led by Diego Piñera that creates a unique festival atmosphere within the Curator in Residence program and beyond.
I would like to thank the entire ILB team and our many partners, funders and supporters who make this program possible.
So, what awaits you at the 26th ILB? You can experience your favorite authors and their texts in readings by fantastic actors, be there when something new and unexpected is conceived, or share thoughts with other readers at the signing table and in the Festival Kitchen. You will find an overview on our website.
We look forward to seeing you!
Yours kindly,
Lavinia Frey
Festival Director