Stimme erheben: Kreatives Schreiben für Poetry Slams

Do you already have a collection of ideas for a poetry text in your head, but you just can't seem to get started? Maybe you're wondering how to structure your thoughts, put your feelings into words or find the perfect first verse? Don't worry, because we have just the right solution for challenges like these: on February 17, 2024 and March 25, 2024, we will be hosting a free online writing workshop from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. that will focus specifically on the creative writing process for poetry texts.

This workshop is aimed at writing enthusiasts of all experience levels - whether you are just starting to write or have been looking for new impulses for your poetry for some time. In a supportive and inspiring online environment, you will have the opportunity to hone your writing skills under the guidance of Niklas Ehrentreich [slammer name: Nik Salsflausen].

Register here.

The workshop gives you the opportunity to submit your text on the topic of freedom to our competition immediately afterwards.

What will [our] freedom look like in the future? All people aged 16 and over are invited to address topics such as individual freedom, political extremism, freedom of expression, climate protection, technological progress, data protection and social justice in a poetry text.

Interested parties aged 16 and over from Baden-Württemberg are invited to submit their texts in German or English. The content should reflect the interaction between personal freedom and the freedom of others.

Participation in this workshop is not a prerequisite for submitting a text to our competition.

Call for entries to the competition

The future of the freedom of the future - call for entries to the poetry competition

What does freedom mean? How does the freedom of others influence our own freedom? Is freedom a communal construct that requires collective thought and action? Which freedom is currently under threat more than ever? How are current events changing our awareness of freedom? Which path does [our] freedom take in times of crisis ?

These are questions that concern many of us. Finding answers to them is not easy.

For example ...

• ... individual freedom and the common good: How can we reconcile individual freedom with restrictions for the common good? Does the relationship between personal autonomy and political participation influence the functioning of a society? Is it justified to limit individual freedoms in order to preserve political freedom and prevent arbitrariness and dictatorship?
• ... Political extremism and authoritarianism: What influence do radical and extremist movements and authoritarian rule have on freedom?
• ... Freedom of expression, freedom of the press and economic liberalism: How is our individual and collective understanding of freedom influencedby freedom of expression, freedom of the press and economic freedom?
• ... Climate protection: Do we have to restrict ourselves in order to prevent the climate catastrophe? Is a life without fossil fuels a prerequisite for future freedom?
• ... Technological progress: How do developments in artificial intelligence, robotics and genetic engineering affect [our] freedom? Is it a risk or an advantage when technologies influence our decisions or take control?
• ... Data protection and privacy: How can we find a balance between security and transparency in a digitized world? Does the choice of privacy or openness affect [our] freedom?
• ... Social justice: Is freedom possible when social injustice exists?
• ...

So: What will [our] freedom look like in the future?

We invite everyone to address this question in a poetry text.

Interested? Then we look forward to receiving poetry texts in German or English. Anything is possible: from a moving narrative to a humorous story with a pinch of comedy to a fast-paced rap text.

Conditions and procedure

You live in Baden-Württemberg and are at least 16 years old. The poetry text must deal with how [our] freedom relates to the freedom of others.

You already have ideas, but don't really know how to start? Then we offer a free online writing workshop on 17.02.2024 and 25.03.2024, both from 14:00 to 18:00. To participate, please register by 15.02.2024 or 23.03.2024. The offer is optional and not a prerequisite for submitting a text.

The finished text must be recorded as an audio file and submitted as a pdf by 31.03.2024, 00:00 hrs. The text must not have been published before and must not be longer than six minutes when performed by you.

A jury consisting of the team and board of the Heinrich Böll Foundation Baden-Württemberg and poetry slam experts will select six texts from the submissions by 30.04.2024. Those selected will be notified immediately.

Has your text been selected? Then you will receive a total of 1,000 euros - for your submitted text and for performing this text in a poetry video clip of a maximum of six minutes in length and having it filmed. The recording of the clip is up to you. The exact regulations on the transfer of rights and other relevant contractual conditions are set out in a binding agreement.

The finished poetry video clips must be sent in as mp4 or mov files by 01.06.2024. A transfer option will be communicated.

All participants are invited to the Freedom Summit in Stuttgart on 29.06.2024 . All videos will be shown there and subsequently used for our further political education work.