Due to the tight budget situation of the city of Erlangen, it was not clear for a long time whether the 46th Erlangen Poet*innenfest could take place at all in August. It was only in January that the city council decided to reduce the savings target for the Department of Culture by 80,000 euros. In order to raise the total costs for the festival of around 200,000 euros, further sponsorship funds and grants are to be obtained. In addition, numerous citizens have spoken out and announced that they would like to support the Poet*innenfest with a donation.
The festival as a prelude to the German Autumn of Books (Photo: Erich Malter)
The Cultural Office of the City of Erlangen has set up a project on the "WirWunder" donation portal of the main sponsor of the Poet*innenfest, the Stadt- und Kreisparkasse Erlangen Höchstadt Herzogenaurach, which can be found at www.wirwunder.de with the search term "Poet*innenfest". Here you can conveniently pay in an amount using all common online payment methods and receive a donation receipt on request. WirWunder cooperates with the largest German donation platform "betterplace", to which you will also be redirected during the process.
If you prefer to make a traditional bank transfer, you can do so to IBAN DE79 7635 0000 0000 0000 31 (Sparkasse Erlangen, BIC BYLADEM1ERH). Please make sure to enter "Donation Poetenfest 2026" as the intended purpose. If you would like to receive a donation receipt, please also enter your postal address in the comments field.
The poets' festival
It kicks off the German Autumn of Books every year. Founded in 1980, the Erlangen Poets' Festival is one of the most renowned literary festivals in the German-speaking world, with numerous individual events focusing on contemporary literature. More information is available online at: www.poetenfest-erlangen.de
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Erlangen Poetry Festival
Every year on the last weekend in August, Erlangen celebrates the start of the German Autumn Book Festival. More than 80 writers, literary critics and publicists are guests at almost one hundred events on current literature.
Erlangen Poetry Festival
Every year on the last weekend in August, Erlangen celebrates the start of the German Autumn Book Festival. More than 80 writers, literary critics and publicists are guests at almost one hundred events on current literature.