Heidelberg celebrates 10 years as a UNESCO city of literature: Celebration at the Karlstor!

Heidelberg celebrates 10 years as a UNESCO city of literature: Celebration at the Karlstor!

A very special anniversary is being celebrated in Heidelberg! On July 25th at 6 p.m. the celebration of the tenth anniversary of Heidelberg's designation as the first German-speaking UNESCO City of Literature will take place at Karlstorbahnhof. The invitation to the celebration goes out to all those interested in culture who would like to experience Heidelberg's lively literary scene. The city's cultural diversity is presented in the foyer of the Karlstorbahnhof. Special stands from publishers, numerous initiatives and migrant self-organizations invite you to browse and discover.

Heidelberg has undergone remarkable development over the past ten years. The city was already recognized in 2015 as part of the international UNESCO Creative Cities network, which underlines the high density of talented authors and renowned translators. The city is home to around 50 publishing houses, including well-known ones such as Draupadi Verlag, Palmyra Verlag and Das Wunderhorn publishing house. The support of the local council and sponsors has helped the literary scene to continue to develop - over 150 authors shape the cultural landscape here.

Promote diversity and engagement

The celebration on July 25th will not only be a homage to the literary past, but will also show the active participation of various migrant self-organizations. Participants such as the A. I. Cuza – Society for Literature, Music and Art, the German-African Association and many other organizations present their projects and initiatives. This underlines the commitment to cultural exchange and diversity in Heidelberg, which extends far beyond the borders of its own population.

Heidelberg is particularly proud of its interdisciplinary projects that involve cultural workers in literary initiatives. Among other things, the large-scale project "Ossip Mandelstam. Word and Destiny" was created, which required international partnerships and the participation of over 100 cultural workers. The city is also active in public spaces - with campaigns such as “Poetry on the Move” poems are made visible on trains and on posters.

A look into the future

The focus on promoting cultural projects remains unbroken. Every year, Heidelberg invests around 220,000 euros in promoting literature, while over 4,000 people work in the cultural and creative industries. What is particularly noteworthy is the large number of events that have been launched in recent years. New festivals, residency programs and collectively designed reading experiences offer a platform for creative minds from around the world. The exchange with other UNESCO Cities of Literature, the annual network meeting and the collaboration with seven official city partnerships are further highlights that consolidate Heidelberg's reputation as an important literary city.

The tenth anniversary celebrations are just the beginning. In addition to the anniversary celebration on November 29, 2024 at Karlstorbahnhof, which promises a varied program, Heidelberg remains a place where literature and culture are alive. The development of the literary scene in the coming years will be followed with enthusiasm, and everyone interested is cordially invited to become part of this inspiring community.

For more information about the numerous events and initiatives that shape the UNESCO City of Literature Heidelberg, read more about it heidelberg.de, karlstorbahnhof.de and unesco.de.