Mainz Reading Festival: Together against loneliness in literature!

Mainz Reading Festival: Together against loneliness in literature!

An exciting event is just around the corner: next Tuesday, September 9th, at 7 p.m., the kickoff event for the reading festival “Mainz reads a book” will be celebrated in the Haus der Jugend. This literary highlight is organized by the “Mainz reads” association, which was founded in 2019. [ Allgemeine-zeitung.de](https://www. Allgemeine-zeitung.de/lokales/mainz/stadt-mainz/lesefestival-mainz-liest-ein-buch-4881483) reports that the festival takes place every two years to promote the exchange of a single, selected book and to bring the region's bookworms together.

This year's theme is none other than the important social questions surrounding loneliness and interpersonal encounters. The focus is on the novel “Earth Above, Sky Below” by the author Milena Michiko Flašar. The author will introduce herself in a video message and give an insight into the topic of the book. The topic is how the protagonist Suzu, who lives in a hectic Japanese city, deals with her loneliness and ultimately finds a new community. This is an important and touching topic, especially in light of the Kodokushi cases - the single deceased who often go undiscovered.

Invitation to network

The reading festival aims to bring literature to life and invites everyone interested to network. Whether workshops or discussion groups – there are numerous opportunities to develop or present ideas for event formats. The author Michiko Flašar will be present in Mainz during the festival week, which will give the event its own unique touch.

The official opening event will take place on Sunday, June 7, 2026, in the Small House of the State Theater. You can easily register for the kickoff event by sending an email to anmelde@mainzliest.de. Further information about the festival can be found on the website mainzliest.de.

A look at local society

Such a festival is not only a celebration for book lovers, but also a wonderful opportunity to address social issues and enter into dialogue. The power of literature can help build bridges and counteract the feelings of loneliness that many people feel today.

In a world that is increasingly characterized by digital media, reading and discussing books together remains a valuable asset. This festival in Mainz is therefore a welcome change and a must for every literature lover!

Does your heart also reel at the idea of ​​talking about literature with like-minded people? Then don't miss this event!