Literature

International literature festival BuchBasel

Basel, where the famous humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam once published his major works, is still an important literary city today. The Swiss Book Prize is awarded each year in November at the BuchBasel international literature festival . And the international Lyrikfestival Basel at the end of January offers visitors from Switzerland and abroad an insight at today’s poetry scene. The Literaturhaus Basel is another important meeting place for readers, writers and literary enthusiasts with over 100 events a year. The Wortstellwerk on the Dreispitz area offers young writers writing workshops and text coaching.

Libraries

The “Gesellschaft für das Gute und Gemeinnützige (GGG)” society operates public libraries in all city districts with an extensive range of books and other media in various languages. The library of the University Basel is also open to the public and can be used free of charge. The “Allgemeine Lesegesellschaft” reading society at Münsterplatz maintains a library with a very attractive reading room. The Intercultural Library for Children and Young People (JUKIBU) specialises in children's and youth literature in over 50 languages.