lit.eifel — Reading Alena Schröder Schleiden-Gemünd

lit.eifel — Literature Festival in the Eifel

lit.eifel is one of North Rhine-Westphalia's most original literature festivals – and certainly the most geographically dispersed. Instead of concentrating in one place, the series spreads across the Eifel region, bringing contemporary literature to decentralized locations: castles, churches, cultural centers, castle chapels, private homes – anywhere a space for a reading can be found in the Eifel municipalities. This dispersion is part of the program: it underscores the Eifel's character as a culturally rich but rural area and makes literature accessible in villages and small towns where big-city reading routines are otherwise absent.

Schleiden-Gemünd — Gateway to the Eifel

Schleiden-Gemünd is a district of the town of Schleiden in the Euskirchen district, located at the eastern entrance to the Eifel National Park. With its fantastically scenic location on the Urft reservoir and the Urft river, its proximity to the National Park, and its cultural tradition (a summer residence for artists from Cologne and Düsseldorf in the 19th century), Gemünd is a Gateway to the Eifel – the place where many day-trippers begin their Eifel visit. A reading in Gemünd is always more than just a reading – it combines literature with the Eifel landscape.

Alena Schröder — 'Mein ganzes Leben, Öl auf Leinwand, ohne Titel'

Alena Schröder is one of the most distinguished contemporary German authors. Having grown up in Schleswig-Holstein, she now lives in Berlin, studied journalism, and is successful as a novelist and co-author of well-known stage plays. Her novels combine precise observations from family histories with historical and art-world references.

In early 2026, her novel 'Mein ganzes Leben, Öl auf Leinwand, ohne Titel' was published – a narrative that interweaves family identity, memory, and art-world themes. The reading in Schleiden-Gemünd is part of the reading tour for this novel.

What You'll Experience

• Author's Reading – Alena Schröder will read excerpts from the novel for about 60 minutes
• Moderated Discussion – typically complemented by a discussion with the author about the genesis, research, and biographical references
• Audience Q&A – at the end
• Book Signing – followed by book signing (sales on-site via local booksellers)
• Eifel Atmosphere – a reading in a rural location has a different aura than in a big-city bookstore

lit.eifel — The Complete Program 2026

The reading in Schleiden-Gemünd is one of approximately 15–20 lit.eifel events in 2026, spread throughout the year and across the Eifel region: Bad Münstereifel, Blankenheim, Heimbach, Kall, Mechernich, Nettersheim, and other locations are regular venues. The complete program can be found at lit-eifel.de.

Schleiden-Gemünd and the Eifel

For those combining the reading with an Eifel weekend: The Eifel National Park begins immediately west of Gemünd, with the hiking trail 'Wilder Kermeter' and the famous Hirschley viewpoint. The Urft reservoir with boat trips, the historic NS-Ordensburg Vogelsang (now an international center and nature park information point), and in summer, one of Central Europe's most beautiful stargazing parks, complement an Eifel visit.