16 upcoming literature events
silent reading rave
Sat, 11 Apr 2026 at 12:00
PROGR - Zentrum für Kulturproduktion
At PROGR, enjoy a playful fusion of literature and nightlife with a 'silent reading rave.' Readers settle into comfy nooks, headphones on, trading passages and ideas in a relaxed, social setting. A quirky Swiss literary night that blends quiet pages with a buzzing, modern venue in Zurich.
Sylvie Schenk liest aus «In Erwartung eines Glücks»
Sun, 12 Apr 2026 at 10:00
Zentrum Paul Klee
On 12 April 2026, German-French poet Sylvie Schenk reads from In Erwartung eines Glücks at Zentrum Paul Klee in Bern, moderated by Tabea Steiner. The event takes place during museum hours in a refined literary setting, showcasing Schenk’s French-German verse.
CH-Slam 26: Swiss Poetry Slam Championship Final
Sun, 19 Apr 2026 at 19:00
Stadttheater Bern
The CH-Slam 26 finals crown the Swiss Poetry Slam champions in a live night at Stadttheater Bern. Expect rapid-fire German-language poetry, witty wordplay, and high-energy performances as finalists battle for the national title.
CH-SLAM 26
Sat, 18 Apr 2026 at 20:00
Bierhübeli, Bern
Youth final of the 15th Swiss Poetry Slam Championships at Bierhübeli in Bern, showcasing top junior spoken-word poets, electric performances, and competitive drama in an artsy, language-driven night of rhythm and crowd energy.
LEA Leseklub Bern
Thu, 16 Apr 2026 at 18:00
Kornhausbibliothek
Join LEA Leseklub Bern at Kornhausbibliothek for a group reading in simple language. No one needs to be able to read—everyone is welcome to participate. The club meets on the second Thursday of each month from 18:00 to 19:00 in the Kornhaus-Bibliothek, Bern.
Aprillen – Berner Lesefest: Eröffnungslesung
Wed, 22 Apr 2026 at 20:00
Schlachthaus Theater Bern
Opening reading of Aprillen – Berner Lesefest at Schlachthaus Theater, featuring Natascha Gangl and Judith Schwarz, kicking off Bern's literary festival with intimate German-language storytelling in a historic venue.
Aufrechtgehen: Lesung mit Andreas Neugebauer
Mon, 20 Apr 2026 at 14:30
Bibliothek Breitenrain mit Ludothek
Author Andreas Neugebauer reads from his life-affirming book Aufrechtgehen and chats about growing up on a farm, a devastating fall, and a hard-won comeback. This intimate library event blends memoir and resilience, inviting reflection and hope in a cozy Bibliothek Wohlen setting.
Aprillen – Berner Lesefest: Lyrikdialoge
Fri, 24 Apr 2026 at 18:00
Schlachthaus Theater Bern
Opening night of Aprillen – Berner Lesefest, Lyrikdialoge brings a poetry dialogue with Natascha Gangl and Judith Schwarz to the intimate Schlachthaus Theater, kickstarting Bern's literary scene with lyric voices, conversation and atmosphere.
Buchvernissage: «Wildwechsel. Geschichten aus der Stadt»
Wed, 29 Apr 2026 at 18:00
Naturhistorisches Museum Bern
Franziska Witschi presents her new book 'Wildwechsel. Geschichten aus der Stadt' at the Naturhistorisches Museum Bern. A museum-literary evening that weaves 21 poetic stories about surprising encounters between people and wild animals in the city, inviting reflection on urban wildlife.
Buch-Taufe: Demokratie auf der Streckbank
Thu, 30 Apr 2026 at 19:30
Cinématte
Book launch for Demokratie auf der Streckbank at Cinématte in Bern on April 30, 2026 at 7:30 PM. The evening includes a reading from the new title and a moderated discussion on democracy and its challenges in today’s politics, set in a welcoming cinema atmosphere.
Buchstabensuppe – vom Teilen der Liebe zu Büchern
Fri, 24 Apr 2026 at 12:30
Kornhausbibliothek
Monthly lunchtime literature session at Kornhausbibliothek Bern. Over vegetarian soup and bread, Patrizia Crivelli shares favorite books while Laszlo Horvath handles the catering. Meet on the 2nd floor at the long table for a friendly, thought-provoking book discussion (10 CHF at the door).
BERNER ALTSTADT-SLAM
Mon, 4 May 2026 at 20:00
ONO Das Kulturlokal
Bern's Altstadt hosts an Openlist Poetry Slam at ONO Das Kulturlokal, where poets perform original spoken-word pieces in a lively, competitive evening that fuses rhythm, performance, and community in a cozy venue.
30 JAHRE FEMSCRIPT-SCHREIBTISCH BERN
Wed, 13 May 2026 at 19:30
ONO Das Kulturlokal
Celebrating 30 years of FEMSCRIPT—Schreibtisch Bern, this evening features women authors giving a lively reading at ONO Das Kulturlokal in Bern, followed by a friendly apéro.
NMBE Leseratten mit Therese Bichsel
Tue, 26 May 2026 at 10:00
Naturhistorisches Museum Bern
Join Therese Bichsel for a charming reading session at Naturhistorisches Museum Bern as curious kids and families gather for stories, meet the author, and enjoy a cozy, museum-filled afternoon that sparks imagination and language in a playful setting.
LESESESSEL
Wed, 20 May 2026 at 20:00
ONO Das Kulturlokal
An engaging evening at ONO Das Kulturlokal in Bern that blends a live reading, a discussion forum, and reflections on modern text culture, inviting thoughtful exchange in an intimate, creative setting on May 20, 2026 at 20:00.
TKKG / U26 und TKKG West: talking pages
Thu, 25 Jun 2026 at 20:00
Grosse Halle
Two groups, U26 and TKKG West, join for 'talking pages'—a live reading and discussion of the TKKG series in Bern's Grosse Halle at Reitschule. A witty, youth-oriented literary evening blending page and conversation.