When does the Swabian Literature Prize 2026 take place?

The event takes place on Wednesday, November 25, 2026, at 7:30 PM.

Where does the event take place?

The Swabian Literature Prize 2026 takes place at Sensemble at Bergmühlstraße 34 in Augsburg.

What texts are in focus?

The focus is on awarded prose texts on the theme Into the Ear.

Who receives the Swabian Literature Prize 2026?

The first prize is awarded to Fee Katrin Kanzler for Use it. Other awards go to Klaus Tigges, Silvia Berger, and Lisa Haberbosch.

Is a book anthology of the literature prize available?

A selection of the best texts has been published in an anthology that is available in bookstores.

Swabian Literature Prize 2026 Augsburg

Name: Swabian Literature Prize 2026
Start: 2026-11-25T19:30:00+01:00
End: 2026-11-25T21:30:00+01:00
Location: Sensemble

Swabian Literature Prize 2026: Literature becomes an audible encounter

When outstanding texts leave their printed page and come alive in voice, rhythm, and atmosphere, a special literary experience is created. The Swabian Literature Prize 2026 invites you to the Sensemble in Augsburg on November 25th. The focus is on outstanding prose texts on this year's theme "Into the Ear".

Literature that gets under your skin

The motto "Into the Ear" draws attention to the sonic dimension of writing. Language appears here not only as a bearer of action and meaning but as an artistically crafted movement of sound, pause, repetition, and internal resonance. The public event combines award ceremony and reading, making it visible how diverse contemporary prose from Swabia sounds.

Distinguished voices from Swabia

The Swabian Literature Prize is awarded by the Swabian District and is aimed at authors with ties to the Swabian-Alemannic cultural area. The submitted texts are evaluated anonymously by an independent jury. Prose texts that combine literary quality, independent narratives, and a distinctive linguistic style will be awarded.

In 2026, Fee Katrin Kanzler will receive the first prize for her text "Use it". Klaus Tigges follows with "The Ear of the City" in second place, while Silvia Berger achieves third place with "On the Couch". The special prize for young authors goes to Lisa Haberbosch for "Ten Miles". A selection of the awarded texts has been published in an anthology.

An evening for the art of language and cultural exchange

The reading atmosphere at Sensemble creates a concentrated space for the authors and their audience. In the direct sound of the read texts, subtleties emerge that easily remain hidden during silent reading: the breath of a sentence, the precision of a punchline, and the tension between narrative voice and silent imagination.

The event also stands for the cultural significance of regional literary promotion. It brings new voices into the literary discourse, strengthens the visibility of unpublished prose, and shows how closely literary quality, social observation, and linguistic craftsmanship are interconnected.

Conclusion: Experience literature live

The Swabian Literature Prize 2026 promises an author encounter with awarded texts, distinctive voices, and a theme that understands literature as a sound event. Those who appreciate contemporary prose, the regional literary scene, and a concentrated reading atmosphere will experience a night full of linguistic discoveries at Sensemble.