19 upcoming literature events
Carolin Emcke: Respekt ist zumutbar
Sun, 26 Apr 2026 at 21:00
Literaturhaus Basel
Carolin Emcke unfolds texts on respect and our civic moment, offering sharp reflections on democracy, pluralism, and responsibility. At Literaturhaus Basel, the German-language talk invites attentive reading and conversation about what respect requires today.
Jean Willi: The night tells us a fairy tale
Wed, 29 Apr 2026
Swiss author Jean Willi presents his new novel Die Nacht erzählt uns ein Märchen with a live reading in Basel. An intimate literary evening with excerpts and discussion.
Frank Baumann & Edi Estermann: Der Elefant im Personalladen
Mon, 4 May 2026 at 21:30
Theater Tabourettli
German-language literary reading with authors Frank Baumann and Edi Estermann at Tabourettli in Basel, followed by a book sale and on-stage discussion; copies can be signed on request.
Sci-Fi Tales & Tea
Sat, 9 May 2026
HEK (Haus der elektronischen Künste)
Join Sci-Fi Tales & Tea at HEK in Basel for an intimate reading night of science fiction by FINTA authors, introduced by Leerie Pemangpo. Enjoy a thoughtful discussion over tea as futures are imagined anew.
Storytelling Café: Wardrobe and Favourite Pieces
Tue, 12 May 2026
Fondation Beyeler
Storytelling café at Fondation Beyeler in Basel, part of the Yayoi Kusama exhibition. Guests share personal fashion stories—wardrobe, favourite pieces, hairstyles—in a cosy foyer setting, inviting reflection and conversation.
SLAM BASEL
Fri, 8 May 2026 at 21:30
Sudhaus
Basel hosts SLAM BASEL at Sudhaus, a live poetry slam with competitive, original verses and charged spoken-word energy. Poets perform in an intimate venue, delivering sharp lines and crowd-driven feedback for a vibrant night of wordplay.
Buchvorstellung
Mon, 11 May 2026 at 21:00
Hirscheneck
Book presentation at Hirscheneck with Ralph Hug, exploring 'pueblos en armas' about around 800 Swiss volunteers in the Spanish Civil War, highlighting solidarity against fascism and a history we must remember.
Pedro Lenz & Simon Ho: Mit Linggs
Tue, 19 May 2026 at 22:00
Theater Tabourettli
A poetical-musical evening at Tabourettli Basel featuring Pedro Lenz and Simon Ho, weaving poetry and song around Diego Maradona for an intimate, language-rich performance.
Swiss Reading Aloud Day
Wed, 27 May 2026
Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel
Swiss Reading Aloud Day brings a German-language reading by Mena Kost from Dino and Donny to the Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel. A family-friendly literary moment inside a whimsical toy museum, inviting children and adults to enjoy storytelling together.
Book launch: Atlas Revolving Histories
Thu, 21 May 2026 at 21:00
Museum Tinguely
Join the Basel book launch of Atlas Revolving Histories at Museum Tinguely for an intimate evening of readings, author insights, and signing in the museum’s modern galleries, with discussions that illuminate the book’s themes amid kinetic art.
Lesung
Mon, 18 May 2026 at 22:00
Hirscheneck
An evening at Hirscheneck featuring a reading titled 'Vivir la Utopia!' and a discussion about 90 years of social revolution in Spain, led by Hanna Mittelstädt. Expect literary reflection, historical insight, and lively dialogue in an intimate venue.
Beyond Borders
Sun, 14 Jun 2026
Volkshochschule beider Basel
Beyond Borders Reading Group at Volkshochschule beider Basel. 12 sessions from May 4, 2026 (Mondays 18:00–19:30) in Basel, conducted in English to explore diverse texts and discuss them in a friendly, scholarly setting.
Isabel Allende y "Largo pétalo de mar" (2022) - Un viaje a través del siglo XX
Sun, 14 Jun 2026
Volkshochschule beider Basel
Join a Spanish-language reading club at Volkshochschule beider Basel on June 14, 2026, to explore Isabel Allende's Largo pétalo de mar and 20th‑century history through guided discussion, context, and shared insights in Basel.
Literary reading: SCHTZGRMM & hummoooa - The conquest of the senses
Fri, 5 Jun 2026
Dreiländermuseum
A literary reading at Dreiländermuseum exploring Dada and Futurism's impact on language art, featuring works by Gomringer, Jandl and Morgenstern performed by Siegert Kittel within the museum's Graffiti, Street Art & Murals exhibition.
T.C. Boyle «Tortilla Curtain»
Sun, 14 Jun 2026
Volkshochschule beider Basel
Join a seven-session English-language reading group at Volkshochschule beider Basel in Liestal to discuss T. C. Boyle's Tortilla Curtain; starts Aug 13, 2026, meetings Thursdays 17:30–19:00. A social, scholarly dive into contemporary immigration fiction.
Forever young!
Fri, 19 Jun 2026
Cartoonmuseum Basel
An evening at Cartoonmuseum Basel celebrating Edition Moderne’s 45th anniversary and the launch of the graphic novel Fühl zu viel by Eric Schwarz. The event highlights the publisher’s role in Swiss comics with insights from co-publisher Marie-France Lombardo.
E.M. Forster «Maurice»
Sun, 14 Jun 2026
Volkshochschule beider Basel
Join a weekly reading group at Volkshochschule beider Basel in Liestal to explore E.M. Forster's Maurice. Seven sessions starting 16 April 2026, Thursdays 17:30–19:00. A conversation-friendly English literature course for adults.
A2/B1 Çay ve Simit
Sun, 14 Jun 2026
Volkshochschule beider Basel
Join the Turkish reading cafe series at VHS Basel (VHSBB) for A2/B1 learners: Turkish language reading sessions, 16x, starting April 16, 2026, Thursdays 16:00–17:30, with an online option.
Mikael Krogerus & Roman Tschäppeler
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 at 21:30
Stadtcasino Basel
Two renowned authors Mikael Krogerus and Roman Tschäppeler bring a unique evening of reading and live drawing to Stadtcasino Basel, blending insightful prose with visual sketches in an intimate, stylish venue.