You can see all authors who have so far confirmed their attendance at this year's upcoming ilb on the current list. A full list of all festival venues can be found under "Service & Links" on the lefthand menu.

The international literature festival berlin is presenting a wide literary variety of contemporary prose and poetry from around the world. The extensive programme is divided into three main parts and also includes other additional sections, such as the top-class scientific and literary interview and discussion forum, “Reflections”.

The authors taking part in the Literatures of the World section of the progamme are chosen by a jury, with each member nominating two authors. The jurors, who are internationally renowned for their knowledge of literature in their respective fields, choose a representative cross-section of prose and poetry for the festival. The visitors will not only get to know many world-famous authors, but will also make exciting discoveries about far away lands. The jurors for this year are: Chris Abani (Nigeria/USA), Yuri Andrukhovych (Ukraine), Robert Gray (Australia), László Krasznahorkai (Hungaria), Katja Lange-Müller (Germany), Alberto Manguel (Canada/France) and Abdourahman A. Waberi (Djibouti/France)

The authors reading in the Kaleidoscope section of the programme have been directly invited by the international literature festival berlin. These invitations are supported by an international network of friends and experts. The authors in this section supplement those chosen by the jury. Their choice responds to current cultural and political developments. Guests of the Artists-in-Berlin programme of the German Academic Exchange Service also read in this section.

The International Children’s and Youth Literature part of the programme offers many widely diverse readings and exhibitions, both in and outside of schools. The aim of this section of the programme is to promote reading amongst children and young people, to widen their horizons and to enable them to develop their emotional, social and artistic skills. The authors in this category are recommended by an internationally recognised network of trustees, who are highly regarded on the international children and young adult literature scene. The literature included spans from picture books to children's and young adults' literature.

With its Focus Africa, the 8th international literature festival berlin will present the latest literary, political and social developments and trends in the countries between Mediterranean and the Cape of Good Hope. It seems that, in Germany, the examination of Africa, in particular Africa’s literature derives from an urge for exoticism rather than from a serious, distinguished interest. Despite the fact that over the past twenty years, the Nobel Prize for Literature has been awarded four times to African writers (Wole Soyinka, Nagib Mahfus, Nadine Gordimer, and J.M. Coetzee), modern translated African literature has struggled to be published and read beyond its own continent. The focus is dedicated particularly to the issues of (1) Talking and Writing Africa, (2) Imagining Africa and (3) Crossing Africa.

In the section Speak, Memory, texts from past decades and centuries are brought back to life. The texts, written by both famous and less well-known authors, have preserved their enchantment over the centuries. However, it is not true to say that everything which was once considered to be fiery will explode when it is rediscovered. This section is, therefore, dependent on something very arbitrary; its impact is subject to individual preference. Either it burns or it doesn’t.

The Reflections part of the programme has existed since the year 2002. It was developed to mark the first anniversary of the events of 9/11. It provides a unique international forum for the exchange of ideas. The dramatic course of events which occurred at the start of the millennium makes it clear that the need for resolution and explanation in the world is still growing, even in today's age of information and technology. The panel will discuss current provocative topics in areas of politics, economics and culture. In doing so, the shortfalls of public perception are disputed in a variety of different ways - rather than merely taking place within academic boundaries, it allows for interdisciplinary variety and diversity.

Scritture Giovani is a project which works in conjunction with the two most important literature festivals in Europe: the “Festivaletteratura Mantova” and “The Guardian Hay Festival”. This section acts to encourage the development of young European authors. For 2008 Scritture Giovani will choose four young authors to each write a short story about the theme of "Sunshine", each in a different language, and present it at the festival. The stories will then later be published in a volume composed of those different languages.

The festival’s supplementary programme - named Specials - is comprised of activities which take place in centres outside of the the main reading venue. For 12 days literature will be introduced in the public sphere through special projects such as the international SLAM!-Revue and readings in churchyards or in prisons.

The music programme comprises concerts and performances with sounds from all over the world - song and chansong, didgeridoo or electronic sound installations. In addition, artists contribute to the festival such as Hartwig Klappert who exhibits his portrait photographs by guest of the last years' festivals. The well-known stage design is by Jakob Mattner who every year varies his concept.

The readings take place at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele (Schaperstr. 24, 10719 Berlin). All authors will read their texts in the original version and an actor will then read the German translation of the text. Presenters and translators will be on hand to allow a discussion between the author and the audience to take place.

Click below for the complete programmes of the last years (German version):

Festival programme 2006
Festival programme 2005

Festival programme 2004

Festival programme 2003

Festival programme 2002

Festival programme 2001

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