Name: Literaturfestival Allgäu-Schwaben 2026
Start: 2026-02-28T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-07-01T00:00:00+00:00
Location: verschiedene Spielorte in Allgäu und Schwaben

LFAS

About LFAS

2026 sees the launch of a major literary project for the whole of Southern Swabia: The Literaturfestival Allgäu-Schwaben (LFAS) will unite the Allgäu and Northern Swabia regions into a joint festival for the first time. From the end of February to the beginning of July, 32 readings in over 30 locations — from historic monastery halls to city theaters and cultural centers — invite encounters with established and emerging authors. Philosopher Michel Friedman will kick things off in Kloster Irsee. Readings, discussions, staged productions, and poetry slams will make the festival, organized by the Schwabenakademie Irsee, a literary map of an entire region.

Dates 28 Feb — 01 Jul 2026

Venue Augsburg (09761)

Prices —

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

LFAS — edition 2026

The first edition of the Literaturfestival Allgäu-Schwaben runs from February 28 to July 1, 2026, with 32 readings at over 30 locations. The festival will be opened on February 28 by Michel Friedman at Kloster Irsee with a reading from »Mensch! Liebeserklärung eines verzweifelten Demokraten«.

The premiere edition in 2026 unites the Allgäu and Northern Swabia regions into a joint festival for the first time. Over several months, 32 reading events will take place at more than 30 locations — from readings and discussions to staged productions and poetry slams. The opening event on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 6:30 PM, will feature Michel Friedman at Kloster Irsee with »Mensch! Liebeserklärung eines verzweifelten Demokraten«. The program will also include readings by German Book Prize winner Martina Hefter, crime novelists Andreas Föhr and Volker Klüpfel, Iris Wolff, Ewald Arenz, Sarah Straub (concert reading about dementia), and Christian Baron.

Highlights LFAS 2026

Opening with Michel Friedman in Kloster Irsee; appearances by Book Prize winner Martina Hefter and Andreas Föhr and Volker Klüpfel; 32 readings and diverse formats across Allgäu and Schwaben.

Programme LFAS 2026

Opening

Saturday, February 28, 2026, 6:30 PM — Kloster Irsee: Michel Friedman, reading »Mensch! Liebeserklärung eines verzweifelten Demokraten«

Further Guests and Formats (Selection, February–July 2026)

Martina Hefter (German Book Prize 2024)
Andreas Föhr and Volker Klüpfel (Crime Literature)
Iris Wolff — Novel about a lifelong friendship across European borders
Ewald Arenz — Works on self-determination in rural Germany in the 1970s
Sarah Straub — Concert reading about life with dementia
Christian Baron — on class issues
A total of 32 readings, plus discussions, staged productions, and poetry slams at over 30 locations in Allgäu and Schwaben

Note: The complete program with all dates, locations, and times is available at www.lfas.de.

Prices LFAS 2026

Prices range from approximately €5–20 depending on the event, usually with discounts for students and seniors. Tickets and program at www.lfas.de.

Practical information

Practical information — LFAS

Venues and Travel

The festival takes place decentrally at over 30 locations in Allgäu and Schwaben, including Augsburg, Kaufbeuren, Donauwörth, Memmingen, and Kloster Irsee (Klosterring 4, 87660 Irsee). Travel to the respective venue by train or car; exact locations and times are listed in the program.

Tickets

Prices vary depending on the event (around €5–20), usually with discounts for students and seniors. Program and tickets available at www.lfas.de. Most readings start in the evening between 7 PM and 8 PM.

A Festival for Two Regions

With the 2026 edition, something new begins: The Literaturfestival Allgäu-Schwaben (LFAS) brings together the Allgäu and Northern Swabia regions for a joint, cross-regional literary festival for the first time. It is organized by the Schwabenakademie Irsee. Over several months — from the end of February to the beginning of July — the festival will take place in over 30 locations in cities such as Augsburg, Kaufbeuren, Donauwörth, Memmingen, and many smaller communities.

32 Readings, Many Formats

The program includes 32 reading events, ranging from classic readings and discussions to staged productions and poetry slams, as well as other formats. The festival aims not only to present literature but also to anchor it as a vibrant cultural network throughout the region.

Prominent Voices

The opening event on February 28, 2026, will feature philosopher and publicist Michel Friedman at Kloster Irsee, reading from his book »Mensch! Liebeserklärung eines verzweifelten Demokraten«. Other guests include German Book Prize winner Martina Hefter, and established crime novelists Andreas Föhr and Volker Klüpfel. Iris Wolff will read from her novel about a lifelong friendship across European borders, Ewald Arenz from works on self-determination in rural Germany in the 1970s, Sarah Straub will present a concert reading about life with dementia, and Christian Baron will shed light on class issues.

Literature in the Region

The venues range from historic monastery halls and city theaters to municipal cultural centers — a deliberate choice to bring literature to where people live. The LFAS sees itself as a contribution to the cultural networking of Swabia and as a new flagship for the region.