Bremen
About the Creative City:
Bremen's literary landscape is both expansive and vibrant, serving as a testament to the city's rich literary heritage. The city is home to two dedicated associations, the 鈥淟iteraturkontor鈥 and the virtual Literaturkontor, both of which have passionately advocated on behalf of authors for decades. In addition to its literary associations, Bremen boasts a thriving literary scene with several notable highlights. The city proudly hosts the Bremen Literature Prize and is internationally renowned for the Centre for Artist's Publications (Zentrum f眉r K眉nstlerpublikationen), a unique collection in Europe. Furthermore, the city library, which welcomes 2.2 million visitors each year, stands as an example of literary resources and community engagement. Bremen's literary festival landscape is equally impressive, featuring events like Poetry on the Road, Globale掳, Crime Time - Prime Time, and Galaxy of Books.
One notable aspect of Bremen's literary scene is the remarkable density of bookshops, generating an annual turnover of 26 million EUR. The city's commitment to literature extends to innovative educational initiatives and university education formats that aim to foster a love for reading. An annual celebration of World Book and Copyright Day shines a spotlight on the world of literature in Bremen's city centre.
In the world of digital innovation, the Literaturhaus serves as a virtual production, actively engaging in literary work with children and the youth through initiatives such as the 鈥淪choolhouse Novel鈥 (Schulhausroman) and 鈥淔lying Classroom鈥 (Fliegendes Klassenzimmer). Furthermore, the Literaturkontor promotes young writers and collaborates with local authors through readings, projects, and workshops. Bremen also hosts various annual literacy contests and poetry festivals, further enriching its literary landscape.
Added Value:
As a Creative City of Literature, Bremen is dedicated:
To strengthen its literary scene and cultural education projects, and make public forums accessible to a broader audience, fostering a sense of inclusivity;
To increase international cooperation to expand its literary potential; and
To form partnerships through the Network to facilitate cultural and creative exchange, as well as the sharing of knowledge and ideas.
