lit.RUHR — International Literature Festival (Essen)

10 Years of lit.RUHR – An Anniversary for the Ruhr Area

lit.RUHR is the international literature festival of the Ruhr area, founded in 2017, organized by litissimo gGmbH. In 2026, the festival celebrates its 10th anniversary – dates: October 7 to 11, 2026. Over the years, lit.RUHR has developed into NRW's major literary event with around 18,000 visitors annually – a festival that brings literature to the Pott and simultaneously co-writes the region's cultural narrative.

Essen as the Main Venue

Essen is the central hub of lit.RUHR. The most important venue is the UNESCO World Heritage Zollverein with its spectacular industrial buildings – the former coal wash, the SANAA Building (Folkwang), the salt storage, and other halls will become reading rooms. In addition, selected theaters, bookstores, libraries, and cultural centers in Essen's city center will host events. The sheer atmospheric impact of the industrial architecture as a reading space is considered a unique selling point of lit.RUHR.

Program and Author Circle

lit.RUHR has always focused on a broad mix of international stars and new voices. In previous years, Margaret Atwood, Jonathan Franzen, Yuval Noah Harari, Sven Regener, Juli Zeh, Daniel Kehlmann, Han Kang, and Maryse Condé have graced the stage. The anniversary year 2026 is expected to feature a particularly prominent lineup – the complete program will be gradually released starting summer 2026.

lit.kid.RUHR – Literature for the Youngest

A hallmark of lit.RUHR: the parallel lit.kid.RUHR program. While adults attend evening readings, authors, illustrators, and cultural educators organize workshops, readings, and interactive sessions for school classes and families during the day. Topics include books, important social issues, exciting stories, and the joy of reading. One of the largest and most ambitious children's literature programs in Germany.

Funders and Partners

The main funders of lit.RUHR are the RAG Foundation, the Brost Foundation, and Stiftung Mercator – three of the central cultural funding foundations in the Ruhr area. In addition, Stiftung Zollverein and the City of Essen are key operational partners.

Festival within a Festival Network

lit.RUHR is simultaneously present in several Ruhr area cities: Essen, Bochum, Oberhausen, Gelsenkirchen – a concept that celebrates the polycentric structure of the region. This festival edition specifically refers to the main program in Essen.