erLESEN! — Literature Days in Saarland
State-wide reading festival in Saarland's bookstores, theaters, and cultural centers
About erLESEN!
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Saarland's Largest Reading Festival
The erLESEN! — Literature Days in Saarland is the state-wide literary festival of the federal state. Since its inception in 2018, the format has developed into the largest literary event series in Saarland: In spring, around a dozen venues across the Saarbrücken district, Neunkirchen district, Saarlouis, Merzig-Wadern, and the St. Wendel region open their doors for author encounters, book premieres, concert readings, and panel discussions.
Who is Behind It?
The organizer is the German Publishers and Booksellers Association — State Association Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland e.V., which organizes the festival together with Saarland's bookstores and publishers. The advisory board includes Anne Treib (Buch und Papier, Lebach), Kurt Hoffmann (Buchhandlung Raueiser, Saarbrücken), Anke Birk (Bücher König, Neunkirchen), and Stefan Wirtz (Conte Verlag) — booksellers and publishers who bring their personal favorite voices to Saarland. The festival is supported by the Saarland Ministry of Education and Culture and SR Kultur.
Growth to 40+ Events
In 2018, erLESEN! started with 28 events and around 2,000 visitors. Seven years later, there were already over 40 dates at twelve venues — many of them sold out. At the eighth edition in 2025, Hubertus Meyer-Burckhardt read at the Theater am Ring in Saarlouis, and Cordula Stratmann at the Gebläsehalle Neunkirchen, among others.
What to Expect
The program is intentionally diverse: prominent bestselling authors alternate with Saarland voices, crime readings with poetry evenings, children's and young adult books with non-fiction. A specialty is culinary readings — texts accompanied by wine, whiskey, or Moroccan specialties — as well as concert readings where author and musician share a stage.
Venues Throughout Saarland
Unlike many literary festivals, erLESEN! does not concentrate on one city. Readings take place in Saarbrücken, Saarlouis, Neunkirchen, Lebach, Wadern, Dillingen, and Völklingen — wherever there is a dedicated independent bookstore. This makes the festival a vibrant showcase for independent bookselling throughout the entire state.
Opening with SR Kultur
Traditionally, the opening event takes place at the Funkhaus Halberg in Saarbrücken, with a live broadcast by SR Kultur. The opening reading is considered a highlight of the first festival days and regularly fills Studio 1.
erLESEN! — edition 2026
The ninth edition of the erLESEN! Literature Days is themed around Cohesion, Diversity, and Responsibility. Over 36 events are spread across eleven days and twelve venues throughout Saarland — from Saarbrücken to Saarlouis and Dillingen, and on to Wadern and Lebach.
Guests include, besides opening author Gaea Schoeters (Belgium), Amelie Fried, Bodo Kirchhoff, Alina Bronsky, as well as Saarland voices Klaus Brabänder, Andreas Drescher, and Germaine Paulus. For the first time, Völklingen is also represented with three readings in the city center.
As always, the program ranges from bestseller readings to concert readings and poetry slams, as well as children's book events. In 2026, culinary readings — readings combined with wine or whiskey tastings — remain a firm component.
Programme erLESEN! 2026
Opening — Saturday, April 18, 2026
- 7:00 PM — Gaea Schoeters reads from her new novel, SR Funkhaus Halberg, Studio Eins, Saarbrücken (Live broadcast SR Kultur)
Sunday, April 19, 2026
- 6:00 PM — Reading evening with musical accompaniment, Stummsche Reithalle, Neunkirchen
April 20–23, 2026
- Readings, book premieres, concert readings, and lectures at venues in Saarbrücken, Saarlouis, Lebach, Wadern, Dillingen, Völklingen, and Neunkirchen
- Focus: Crime fiction, contemporary novels, children's and young adult books, non-fiction
- Saarland authors: Klaus Brabänder, Andreas Drescher, Germaine Paulus
Highlights of the Second Festival Week
- Amelie Fried (Fiction)
- Bodo Kirchhoff (Contemporary Novel)
- Alina Bronsky (Fiction)
- Crime parody reading on the opening Saturday
- Readings in Völklingen (three dates in the city center for the first time)
The complete program with all dates and venues can be found at erlesen-saarland.de/veranstaltungsuebersicht. Tickets are available via Ticket Regional.
Highlights erLESEN! 2026
- Opening at SR Funkhaus with Gaea Schoeters
- Over 36 events at twelve venues
- Three readings in Völklingen for the first time
- Prominent voices: Amelie Fried, Bodo Kirchhoff, Alina Bronsky
- Strong Saarland representation
Prices erLESEN! 2026
Ticket prices range from 8 to 25 Euros depending on the event. Some readings at the SR Funkhaus are free of charge. Tickets are available online via Ticket Regional or at the box offices.
Practical information — erLESEN!
Getting There
Most venues are easily accessible by public transport. The main location is Saarbrücken, which is connected by ICE high-speed trains from Frankfurt, Mannheim, and Paris. Saarlouis, Neunkirchen, Lebach, and Wadern can be reached by Saarbahn or regional train.
Tickets
Tickets are available online via Ticket Regional and at the box offices of the respective venues. Prices vary depending on the event, ranging from 8 to 25 Euros. Some readings — especially at the SR Funkhaus — are free of charge.
Accommodation
Saarbrücken offers the largest selection of hotels. Those attending multiple readings will also find suitable accommodation in Saarlouis, Neunkirchen, and St. Wendel.
Contact
Bettina Endres, Börsenverein Hessen-Rheinland-Pfalz-Saarland, Tel. +49 611 / 16 660-31. Current dates: erlesen-saarland.de
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a erLESEN! al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place erLESEN!
Verschiedene Orte im Saarland