Literary Week Bremen
Bremen's literary festival with the awarding of the Bremen Literature Prize
About Literary Week
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Half a Century of Literature in Bremen
The Literarische Woche Bremen is one of Germany's most established literary festivals. Since 1976, the Rudolf-Alexander-Schröder Foundation has organized the festival, which brings together readings, discussions, exhibitions, and conversations at various locations in the city for nine days—always in conjunction with the awarding of the Bremen Literature Prize.
One Theme, Many Voices
The Literarische Woche often focuses on a guiding theme, to which invited authors respond directly or indirectly. This creates a festival that not only presents books but also discusses societal debates literarily—from political questions to existential topics.
The Bremen Literature Prize — Since 1954
The highlight of each edition is the awarding of the Bremen Literature Prize, one of Germany's most traditional literary awards. The prize has been awarded since 1954—initially as the Rudolf-Alexander-Schröder Prize, endowed in 1953 on the 75th birthday of the honorary citizen, poet, and translator Rudolf Alexander Schröder (1878-1962). Early recipients include Ingeborg Bachmann, Paul Celan, and Ilse Aichinger. In 1959, the award caused a scandal when the Senate refused to honor Günter Grass for "The Tin Drum"; as a result, the prize has been awarded solely under the responsibility of the newly founded Rudolf-Alexander-Schröder Foundation since 1962. Unlike many awards, it honors not a lifetime achievement but a single outstanding work of German-language literature—supplemented by an advancement award for younger voices. The prize winner's reading and the award ceremony in the town hall are among the central program points.
Cultural Mile of the Hanseatic City
The venues are located in the heart of the Hanseatic city in the state of Bremen: the Zentralbibliothek (Central Library), the Kulturkirche St. Stephani, the historic Rathaus (Town Hall), and the concert hall Die Glocke. This anchoring in Bremen's cultural institutions makes the Literarische Woche a firm fixture in the city's cultural year.
Literary Week — edition 2026
For its 50th edition, the Literarische Woche debates under the guiding theme of Freedom: all invited authors engage directly or indirectly with unfreedom. The guest of honor is Heinz Strunk, who receives the Bremen Literature Prize (€25,000) for his story collection "Kein Geld Kein Glück Kein Sprit"; the advancement award (€6,000) goes to Kaleb Erdmann for the novel "Die Ausweichschule." The prize winner's reading takes place on January 25, 2026, at Die Glocke, and the award ceremony on January 26, 2026, in the Upper Town Hall Hall. Readings and discussions are spread over nine days at various cultural venues.
Programme Literary Week 2026
The 50th Literarische Woche Bremen runs from January 23 to 31, 2026, under the guiding theme of Freedom. Curated by the Rudolf-Alexander-Schroeder Foundation, the Bremen City Library, Bremen Zwei, and the magazine Bremen, all invited authors engage directly or indirectly with unfreedom—socially, politically, and existentially.
Central Program Points
- Friday, January 23 — Opening: Reading with Fernando Aramburu from his novel Der Junge about a couple who lose their son in a gas explosion
- Sunday, January 25 — 6:00 PM, Die Glocke: Presentation reading by prize winner Heinz Strunk from his story collection Kein Geld Kein Glück Kein Sprit (Free admission)
- Monday, January 26 — Upper Town Hall Hall: Awarding of the 72nd Bremen Literature Prize (€25,000) to Heinz Strunk and the Advancement Prize (€6,000) to Kaleb Erdmann for the novel Die Ausweichschule
- Saturday, January 31 — 7:30 PM, Kukoon: Reading and discussion with Laura Heimann, Nele Miesner, and Kristin Moldenhauer (Bremen Authors' Scholarship Holders 2024) on climate change, grief, and feminism — what freedom means for their work. Admission €6, reduced €4.
Between the opening and closing, nine days of readings, discussions, exhibitions, and film screenings are spread across Bremen's cultural mile — Zentralbibliothek, Kulturkirche St. Stephani, Rathaus, Die Glocke, Literaturhaus Bremen, and Kukoon. The full daily program can be found at stabi-hb.de.
Highlights Literary Week 2026
- 72nd Bremen Literature Prize to Heinz Strunk for Kein Geld Kein Glück Kein Sprit (€25,000)
- Advancement Prize to Kaleb Erdmann for Die Ausweichschule (€6,000)
- Opening with Fernando Aramburu (Der Junge) — Strunk's presentation reading at Die Glocke (Free admission)
- Closing with three Bremen authors' scholarship holders at Kukoon — the theme of freedom from young voices
- 50th anniversary edition under the guiding theme of Freedom
Prices Literary Week 2026
Practical information — Literary Week
Getting There
The events take place at various locations in Bremen's city center, including the Zentralbibliothek, Kulturkirche St. Stephani, Rathaus, and Die Glocke—all easily accessible by public transport.
Tickets
Individual readings and events have separate, usually moderate, admission prices; some program items are free. The festival runs for nine days.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Literary Week
Zentralbibliothek, Kulturkirche St. Stephani, Rathaus, Die Glocke u.a.
Am Wall 201 (Stadtbibliothek, zentraler Ort) und weitere Spielstätten, 28195 Bremen