Literaturtage Lana

Literaturtage Lana, a landmark literary festival in South Tyrol

The Literaturtage Lana is a literary festival held in the municipality of Lana, in the province of Bolzano, in the heart of South Tyrol. Organized by the Verein der Bücherwürmer association, founded in Lana in 1980, these days have for decades represented one of the most authoritative appointments on the South Tyrolean German-language literary scene. The historic venue for the main event is the Ansitz Schallerhof, in the village of Vill, a historic residence nestled among orchards that provides a stunning backdrop for readings, debates, and encounters.

A space for poetry and the word

Unlike many literary events, the Literaturtage Lana does not follow the logic of the publishing market; instead, it conceives itself as an "open courtyard," a meeting point where Dichter*innen, researchers, and artists engage with contemporary literature. The program alternates between public readings, conversations with authors, thematic symposia, exhibitions, and book presentations. Poetry holds a central place, often presented in multiple languages with a particular focus on voices from Central and Eastern Europe.

Literary awards and association activities

The festival is closely linked to two prestigious awards: the N.C. Kaser-Lyrikpreis, a biennial prize dedicated to poets active on the "peripheries" of literature, and the Lyrikpreis Meran (Merano Poetry Prize), which brings young authors to Lana whose unpublished works are read and discussed by a high-level jury. Beyond the main days, the Verein der Bücherwürmer promotes readings, presentations, literary scholarships, and meetings with internationally renowned authors throughout the year.

An appointment in the South Tyrolean cultural landscape

The Literaturtage Lana is entirely in German and is aimed at poetry lovers, writers, and enthusiasts of literary texts. The event contributes to making Lana, a village known for its orchards and proximity to Merano, a vibrant center of South Tyrolean culture. The editions have consistently attracted important names in contemporary European literature, confirming the festival's role as a laboratory for experimentation and dialogue between languages and literary traditions.

Useful information

The dates for the 2026 edition of the Literaturtage (the three-day main event) have not yet been officially announced; however, the association is active throughout the year with individual events, readings, and presentations. For the updated program, we recommend checking the official website literaturlana.com.