In spring 2026, North Hesse will once again become the stage for literary encounters. In the home of the Brothers Grimm , the Literary Spring to its ten-day program. In the unique landscape where Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm once collected their world-famous fairy tales, literature, storytelling, and enjoyment come together in readings, discussions, literary revues, and special experiential formats.
The festival brings together renowned authors and committed voices of contemporary literature. Guests in 2026 will include Christian Berkel, Max Goldt, Thomas Hettche, Sandra Navidi, and Tommy Wieringa, who will invite visitors to read, think, and exchange ideas with new books, narrative forms, and perspectives. In addition to classic book presentations, the program includes political debates, nonfiction discussions, and thematic series, as well as staged readings and so-called reading dinners, where literature and culinary experiences come together. Historical references also play a role: letters from Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm provide insights into the brothers' lives beyond their well-known collection of fairy tales.
The Literary Spring festival covers everything from fiction and nonfiction to cultural criticism, always aiming to combine current debates with literary depth. The festival is accompanied by special events such as literary carriage rides through the countryside, literary revues on contemporary issues, and interactive evenings that place the spoken word in a variety of contexts. In the historic home of the Grimms, spring becomes not just a season, but a literary experience.
March 20 to 29, 2026
