Treffen junger Autor*innen

Platform for Young Literary Voices

The Treffen junger Autor*innen is one of the oldest nationwide forums for young literary talent in Germany. The competition has been organized by the Berliner Festspiele in the federal capital since 1985 and is aimed at writers between 11 and 21 years old. Each year, around 20 authors are selected from several hundred submissions by a nine-member jury of experienced writers.

Genres and Themes

The competition is deliberately open to all genres: poetry, short prose, novel excerpts, stage plays, slam poetry, hybrid forms, and experimental language projects. The jury evaluates the submitted texts without thematic or formal requirements – the sole criterion is literary quality.

The Meeting in Berlin

At the end of November, the selected prize winners come to the Haus der Berliner Festspiele on Schaperstraße in the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf district. Over five days, the program includes public readings, workshop discussions with jury members, writing workshops, and discussion rounds. The event traditionally begins with a ceremony honoring the prize winners and a concert.

• Nationwide competition (application deadline usually July 15)
• Age limit: 11–21 years
• ~20 prize winners annually
• 20 additional authors receive a book voucher and a subscription to a literary magazine
• Readings, workshops, and concert at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele
• Funding: Federal Ministry of Education, Family, Seniors, Women and Youth

Berliner Festspiele and Treffen junge Szene

The Treffen junger Autor*innen is part of the Treffen junge Szene series, which also includes the Treffen junger Musik-Szene, the Treffen junger Schauspiel-Szene, and the Treffen junges Theater. For decades, these competitions have served as an important springboard for many artists who later become professionals in Germany.