Lit.Cologne invites you to the literature festival in Cologne

In March 2018, the popular and internationally known Literature Festival (lit.cologne) took place for the 18th time in the cathedral city. The lit.Cologne has grown significantly - compared to its beginnings - and presents a whole host of interesting and diverse events at. We have also thought of the children's world and so there is lit.kid.Cologne for our offspring!

Largest literature festival in Europe

lit.Cologne is - in the world of literature - the largest event in Europe! And that with us in Cologne! The more than 200 contributions in all possible forms are made up of, for example:

• Discussions
• the classic readings
• Cabaret, theater
• Conversations and discussions on various topics

Special venues

So that everything is exciting and interesting and can also live a bit from the environment, the events take place at various locations in Cologne:

• at Cologne Cathedral
• in the theater
• in the flora
• on ships
• or in the Funkhaus

These locations provide the right atmosphere, depending on the topic and event. Authors and artists can amplify their feelings or statements a little more.

Themed evenings

The lit.Cologne brings more than just theater and books, but also interesting discussions - also on political issues - to the city:

• Politics (talks by Joschka Fischer)
• Topic travel and the hype about it ( Cordula Strathmann )

Politics and journalism

lit.Cologne offers a large variation from various topics and categories . This is exactly what creates curiosity and, of course, enthusiasm among many artists and authors. Many different genres ensure a huge variety of topics at the festival. This great cultural event is financed purely through private activities. On the one hand, of course, from the proceeds from the tickets, but also from generous donations from partners and many sponsors.

Records in Cologne

The more than 200 events at lit.Cologne have already been visited by more than 110,000 visitors! For 10 days there is a concentrated load of culture and of course literature. Many national, but also international artists ensure strong visitor numbers . There was even a world record once! In 2006 around 15,000 people came to the Lanxess Arena for the "largest German lesson in the world"!

The German audio book award

The German audio book prize will also be awarded at lit.Cologne. As part of a large and glamorous gala, Götz Alsmann presented artists such as:

• Eva Mattes
• Hakan Nesser
• Michael Haneke
• Richy Müller
• Maria Schrader
• Huub Stevens

Incidentally, the special award in the "Audiobook" category went to artist Eva Mattes this year for her life's work.

The next generation is encouraged

Since 2010 there has been another great award, which is supposed to promote and support the next generation: the debut award! In this way, young authors and artists also get a stage and attention. That's great! And who decides? Well you! The audience decides which debutant can look forward to the prize money!

The lit.Cologne is growing

Since 2017 lit has been able to win over more cities for the event. For example, it takes place in the Ruhr area under the name of the Ruhr and can be in the cities:

• Duisburg
• Eat
• Dortmund
• or Bochum

to be visited. There, too, there was great interest and got the organizers off to a good start! For example, the opening gala with Christoph Maria Herbst and the enchanting Iris Berben took place in the Essen Philharmonic.

Around 20,000 visitors were enthusiastic about the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Zeche Zollverein. In 2018, the lit.Ruhr will again cause enthusiasm when it invites you again at the beginning of October with more than 80 events and the numerous stars:

• Martin Suter
• Nick Hornby
• Donna Leon
• Ulla Hahn
• Zadie Smith

Lit.kid.Cologne

Children and young people who are interested in literature are also thought of in the cathedral city. A wonderful program for children and young people is taking place under the name Lit.kid.Cologne. All age groups are thought of and German teachers can even register entire school classes for the readings! Every year a large number of schoolchildren visit the Lit.kid.Cologne.

A particularly interesting project has been at the start since 2018! At the event called "Students for Students", the children can organize a lecture for their age group on their own. In doing so, they learn to organize an event and learn to take responsibility. Here young people from all different social backgrounds and school types are involved. The aim here is not only to learn how to do well in some professional fields, but also to encourage and activate interest in literature. In workshops, the kids learn how project management works or what a perfect moderation can look like.

Also represented on the radio

Lit.Cologne was on the radio too! The KinderRadioKanal (KiRaKa) broadcast over 20 events on the radio in 2018. In the months of March, April and May contributions from readings and further information were sent. The cultural radio COSMO also took part in the readings and even broadcast four readings on the radio program. Of course, the Cologne broadcaster WDR5 also plays along and broadcasts the "WDR 5 Literature Summer" from July to September.

Barrier-free travel at lit.Cologne

Barriers are to be dismantled at lit.Cologne and that is why the Kämpgen Foundation and Aktion Mensch are actively supporting this. People with disabilities such as:

• Hearing damage
• Walking disabilities
• Poor eyesight

should also be able to participate in literature. Sign interpreters are used, special signage is used, flyers are designed in simple language, a website is available for people with disabilities and information is even applied to the program in the form of Braille. All people who are interested in literature and culture should also be able to visit lit.cologne!

There is even an APP!

This year, for the first time, there is even an accompanying app for the popular festival. This contains all information about the festival and a route planner for easy on-site navigation. Tickets can also be obtained from it. A live stream from lit.Cologne is even offered free of charge.

The next event date

The date for the calendar year 2019 has already been set! Lit.Cologne will open its doors again on March 19, 2019 and will last until March 30, 2019. Maps and tickets will be available from the beginning of December 2018. Hurry up, because the tickets will probably be sold out by the end of 2018!

Your Cologne holiday apartment

If you want to see this great literary and cultural event in Cologne , then you should visit our Apartment Cologne book! Because we are in the middle of downtown Cologne with our apartments and so we have short distances for you. By the way, you can of course also have a look at all the other interesting things in the cathedral city! And all on foot! Request your - non-binding - offer today! We look forward to your inquiry.