This event will be held in German.

Welcome: Eva Herzog, President of LiteraturBasel
Greeting: Conradin Cramer, President of the City Council of Basel-Stadt
A look back at 25 Years of the Literaturhaus: Katrin Eckert, Artistic Director

Since its opening in 2000, the Literaturhaus has welcomed hundreds of authors - renowned voices, future stars, and hidden gems. Along the way, it has weathered many challenges, large and small, and developed new formats and collaborations, all driven by one mission: to share a passion for great books. Now, we look back at the highs and lows from a quarter-century of literary life.

Discussion: Literature in Times of Crisis
With Jonas Lüscher and Sasha Marianna Salzmann
Moderation: Thomas Strässle
Followed by apéro & music

For the past 25 years, the Literaturhaus Basel has offered a forum not just for literature, but for debate and discussion, This anniversary falls at a time marked by crises. The increasing threats to democratic societies — ranging from war, the rise of the far right in Europe and the U.S., to the events of October 7 and their aftermath — raise one fundamental question: Where do we go from here? Jonas Lüscher and Sasha Marianna Salzmann will join Thomas Strässle in a discussion about what it means to write in these challenging times, how they see their roles as authors, and what the true task of literature is in such a turbulent world.