lit.RUHR 2026 — International Literature Festival (Oberhausen)

Ten Years of Literature in the Ruhr Area

Since 2017, lit.RUHR has been the most important International Literature Festival in the Ruhr area — in 2026, it celebrates its 10th edition from October 7 to 11, 2026. Unlike classic city festivals, lit.RUHR is a regional festival with multiple locations: Essen, Bochum, Oberhausen, Gelsenkirchen, and Mülheim an der Ruhr. Oberhausen is one of the central venues — meaning international and German-speaking authors will come to the city during the festival week for readings, discussions, and performances.

Concept: Literature Against an Industrial Backdrop

lit.RUHR uses the unique architecture of the Ruhr area as its stage — former coal mines, industrial monuments, theaters, and city libraries are transformed into reading rooms. In Essen, the UNESCO World Heritage Zollverein Coal Mine and the Folkwang Museum are regular venues; in Bochum, it's the Schauspielhaus; in Oberhausen, the Theater Oberhausen; in Gelsenkirchen, the Hans-Sachs-Haus; and in Mülheim, the Stadthalle.

International and German-Speaking Voices

The program includes:

• International authors with current translations (novels, non-fiction, poetry)
• German literary giants — novelists, essayists, journalists
• Debuts and newcomers — young voices with their first books
• Non-fiction and politics — societal topics in discourse
• Poetry and performance poetry

The exact lineup announcement typically occurs in the summer before the festival.

lit.kid.RUHR — Program for Children and Young People

The dedicated format lit.kid.RUHR targets young readers with:

• Author readings for children's and young adult books
• Workshops — writing workshops, illustration workshops
• Interactive projects like #lassmalesen and #lassmaschreiben
• School performances and meet-and-greet formats

Accessible and Inclusive

lit.RUHR ensures accessible events at various partner venues and collaborates with city libraries and cultural institutions to guarantee inclusion and accessibility.

Oberhausen as a City of Literature

Oberhausen is often associated with industrial culture and concerts — lit.RUHR demonstrates that the city also plays a role in the literary scene. With the Oberhausen City Library, the Theater Oberhausen, the Volkshochschule (adult education center), and several cultural partners, there is an active literary scene. During the lit.RUHR week, international voices come to the city that you would otherwise only experience in Cologne, Düsseldorf, or Frankfurt.

litissimo gGmbH — The Organizer

Behind lit.RUHR is litissimo gGmbH, based in Cologne (Maria-Hilf-Str. 15-17). This non-profit organization curates the festival in close cooperation with the Ruhr area cities, local bookstores, and libraries.