REIM-LAND-PFALZ – Poetry Slam State Championship

Poetry Slam at State Level

With REIM-LAND-PFALZ, Rhineland-Palatinate will have its first official, fully developed state championship in Poetry Slam in May 2026. For three days, 24 slammers from the entire state will compete against each other, curated by the Center for Culture and Science Management (ZKW) of RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau and in collaboration with the state's established slam scene. The winner here qualifies for the German-language championships and represents Rhineland-Palatinate on the national stage.

Kammgarn as the Central Venue

The Kammgarn Kaiserslautern, a former worsted spinning mill area and now the most important independent cultural institution in West Palatinate, provides two acoustically and atmospherically ideal rooms: the Schreinerei (carpentry workshop) and the Kasino (casino). In addition, rooms at RPTU Kaiserslautern will be used, underscoring the connection between the university and city culture. Both host institutions have been working closely together for years, for example, in the university's established Poetry Slam format in Landau.

U20 Competition on Thursday

The first day of competition, Thursday, May 28th, is dedicated to young talent: the U20 final will feature the best young slammers from the state competing against each other. The format does not differ significantly from the adult competition – here too, texts under the limit of around six minutes, personal delivery, no costumes, and no props are counted. The difference lies in the age limit and the targeted promotion of the scene.

Semi-finals and Final

On Friday, May 29th, two parallel semi-finals will reduce the field of participants to the finalists. The grand final on Saturday, May 30th, brings together the winners of the semi-finals; the audience participates through classic scoring. Winners qualify for the German-language Poetry Slam championships.