1. Saarburg Literary Festival
Premiere edition in the Kulturgießerei Saarburg — readings, literary exchange, and Mosel crime fiction on three stages
About Saarburg Literary Festival
Premiere for Saarburg as a Literary Location
With the 1st Saarburg Literary Festival, a new format dedicated exclusively to literature will be created in 2026 in the western Mosel-Saar region. The organizer is the Kulturgießerei Saarburg, which has become a highly regarded venue for art, music, and literary programs in the Trier-Saarburg district since its opening in the premises of the former Mabilon bell foundry. The premiere edition on August 2, 2026, is intended as the start of a planned annual series.
Three Stages, an Industrial Monument
The industrial architecture of the foundry will be divided into three reading stages for the festival. This allows for parallel readings, discussion rounds, and book presentations without the audience having to change locations. The striking brick halls, the high incidence of light, and the industrial historical background create an atmosphere that clearly stands out from classical reading rooms. A cocktail bar and stalls with regional cuisine complete the day's program.
Authors of the Premiere
The 2026 program includes, among others, bestselling author Birgit Herold, romance novel specialist Annie Stone, Mosel crime fiction author Ansgar Sittmann with "Mordsache Mosel," and Werner Giesser. Thus, the festival covers a broad spectrum from suspense and entertainment literature to the regional book scene. Accompanying this, a literary exchange invites publishers, bookstores, and self-publishers to present their new releases — a showcase for the literary landscape on the Mosel and Saar.
Saarburg as a Backdrop
Saarburg, picturesquely located on the Saar River and known for its waterfall in the middle of the old town, is further positioning itself as a cultural center of the Saar-Obermosel region with this festival. The festival complements the traditional Saar Wine Festival and the Christmas Market with a distinct literary profile and is aimed at readers from the entire greater Trier, Luxembourg, and Saarland area.
Saarburg Literary Festival — edition 2026
The inaugural edition of the Saarburg Literary Festival is designed as a compact day of readings. Throughout Sunday, parallel programs will take place on three reading stages in the former Mabilon bell foundry. The morning will feature readings by regional authors, while the afternoon will focus on readings by bestsellers and crime fiction. A literary exchange will run concurrently throughout the day.
The exact hourly schedule will be published by the organizer in early summer 2026. The appearances of Birgit Herold (bestselling author), Annie Stone (romance novels), Ansgar Sittmann (Mosel crime fiction "Mordsache Mosel"), and Werner Giesser have been confirmed.
Programme Saarburg Literary Festival 2026
The exact 2026 program will be published by the organizer in spring/summer. The structure follows the proven cornerstones of the premiere concept:
Key Points of the Day's Program
- Morning: Festival opening, welcome by the Kulturgießerei, and introductory readings by regional authors.
- Lunch: Parallel readings on all three stages, combined with a culinary lunch break and a visit to the literary exchange.
- Afternoon: Featured readings — Birgit Herold, Annie Stone, Werner Giesser, and a Mosel crime fiction reading with Ansgar Sittmann ("Mordsache Mosel") are announced.
- Evening: Discussion rounds, signing sessions, and a literary wind-down at the cocktail bar.
Accompanying Program
- Literary exchange with publishers, regional bookstores, and self-publishers.
- Cocktail bar and culinary stalls.
- Signing opportunities directly after the readings.
The final list of readings, times, and stage assignments will be published by Kulturgießerei Saarburg on their website.
Highlights Saarburg Literary Festival 2026
- Premiere edition in the Kulturgießerei Saarburg (former Mabilon bell foundry)
- Three parallel reading stages in an industrial-historic setting
- Authors: Birgit Herold, Annie Stone, Ansgar Sittmann, Werner Giesser
- Mosel crime fiction reading "Mordsache Mosel"
- Literary exchange with publishers and bookstores, cocktail bar, regional cuisine
Prices Saarburg Literary Festival 2026
Adults: €19.90. Children under 14: free admission. Tickets available via Kulturgießerei Saarburg.
Practical information — Saarburg Literary Festival
Date
Sunday, August 2, 2026.
Location
Kulturgießerei Saarburg (former Mabilon bell foundry), Staden 130, 54439 Saarburg.
Tickets
Adults €19.90, children under 14 free. Sale via Kulturgießerei Saarburg.
Getting There
By train to Saarburg (station on the Saar riverbank), approx. 15 minutes on foot to the Kulturgießerei. By car via B51 / A8, parking available in Saarburg town center.
On Site
Three reading stages, literary exchange, cocktail bar, food and drinks available. Accessible access at the main entrances.
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