26. internationales Literaturfestival Berlin

In the page's words:

From September 3 to 12, 2026, Berlin will once again become the center of international contemporary literature for the 26th time. Look forward to over 100 writers from around 40 countries. 240 participants from the worlds of literature, music, academia, and society will host around 150 events —including readings, panel discussions, performances, and workshops.

[The full program and tickets]

Festival motto: “You are born with your face turned everywhere”      

The theme is reflected in the festival program, which crosses disciplinary and genre boundaries like never before: literature—from prose to poetry, from graphic novels to hidden-object books—meets jazz and chamber music, performance, and dance at the 26th ILB.

The Festival Within the Festival: Curator in Residence Jeet Thayil

For the 26th edition of the festival, the ILB is expanding the “Curator in Residence” program —introduced in 2024—into a festival within a festival. Indian writer, poet, and musician Jeet Thayil describes his program as a “jam session” where various art forms and cultures come together to spontaneously create unique stage experiences. At the heart of his ten events are collaboration, improvisation, and the uniqueness of artistic performance. Together with his guests—including Eileen Myles, Tishani Doshi, and Mohammed Hanif—Thayil explores the connection between writing and performance and examines the role of artistic collaboration in a globalized world. For the first time in the festival’s history, authors will also perform alongside the ILB House Band, a jazz trio led by Diego Piñera, which contributes to the festival’s unique atmosphere through the Curator in Residence program and beyond.