Annual Literature Event at Waterfront Offering Two Novel Rewards - Annual Harbour Front Literature Event Introduces Two New Awards
The Harbour Front Literature Festival is set to make a grand return to Hamburg from **September 20 to October 19, 2025**, after a one-year hiatus, transforming the city into a vibrant stage for literature once again[1]. This festival, known for its diverse literary presentations, will take place at 23 locations throughout the city, including the Elbphilharmonie, Laeiszhalle, Deutsches Schauspielhaus, Thalia Theater, Maritime Museum, and Planetarium[2].
As the festival's new artistic director, Joachim Lux aims to create a festival that makes a strong statement right away[3]. The 2025 edition continues the tradition of diverse literary presentations, including readings, discussions, and multimedia performances. While specific details about new prizes for 2025 have not been explicitly mentioned, the festival is known for awarding literary prizes[1].
The festival will feature an international lineup, including Isabel Allende, Dan Brown, Ian McEwan, and Donna Leon[6]. Among the German-language authors participating in the festival are Martin Sutter, Caroline Wahl, Joachim Meyerhoff, Marc-Uwe Kling, Katja Riemann, and Benjamin von Stuckrad-Barre[7].
One of the highlights of the festival will be the laudation for Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who will receive the inaugural presentation of the newly established Felix-Jud Prize, worth €20,000[4]. The laudation will be given by Kenyan author Auma Obama.
The festival opens with a spectacular event on September 20 at the Elbphilharmonie, where actor and musician Alexander Scheer will perform *Heroes*, singing David Bowie songs[5]. Other key venues include the Laeiszhalle (Kleiner Saal) for Michel Friedman's reading and the St. Pauli Theater for Andrea Sawatzki's book premiere[2].
An unique event featuring Udo Lindenberg's songs and texts will be presented by Jan Delay, along with several other German authors[8]. Benjamin von Stuckrad-Barre and Jan Delay have a special event planned related to the upcoming 80th birthday of Udo Lindenberg in May 2026[3].
Andrea Sawatzki will celebrate the premiere of her novel *Biarritz* with an exclusive reading at the St. Pauli Theater on September 24, 2025[4]. Michel Friedman will present his new book *Mensch! Liebeserklärung eines verzweifelten Demokraten* ("Human! Declaration of Love by a Desperate Democrat") on September 28 at the Laeiszhalle (Kleiner Saal). The event will be in German and moderated by Bettina Böttinger[2].
The Harbour Front Literature Festival 2025 promises a rich variety of literary experiences showcasing prominent authors, musicians, and cultural figures in Hamburg’s landmark venues, reinforcing the city’s status as a major hub for contemporary literature and cultural exchange. The festival aims to be a festival for the public with high standards, as stated by Joachim Lux[3]. The festival does not aim to "grow big again from small." Instead, it focuses on creating unique experiences for its audience.
[1] https://www.hamburger-abendblatt.de/kultur/literatur/buchmesse-hafenfront-literaturfestival-2025-in-hamburg-ab-20-september-2025,18719140.html [2] https://www.hamburg.de/hamburg/aktuelles/hafenfront-literaturfestival-2025-programm/ [3] https://www.hamburger-abendblatt.de/kultur/literatur/buchmesse-hafenfront-literaturfestival-2025-in-hamburg-ab-20-september-2025,18719140.html [4] https://www.hamburg.de/hamburg/aktuelles/hafenfront-literaturfestival-2025-programm/ [5] https://www.hamburg.de/hamburg/aktuelles/hafenfront-literaturfestival-2025-programm/ [6] https://www.hamburg.de/hamburg/aktuelles/hafenfront-literaturfestival-2025-programm/ [7] https://www.hamburg.de/hamburg/aktuelles/hafenfront-literaturfestival-2025-programm/ [8] https://www.hamburg.de/hamburg/aktuelles/hafenfront-literaturfestival-2025-programm/
- The Harbour Front Literature Festival, renowned for its diverse literary presentations, will return to Hamburg from September 20 to October 19, 2025, with an emphasis on creating unique experiences for the public.
- The festival, held across 23 locations throughout the city, will feature an international lineup, including Isabel Allende, Dan Brown, Ian McEwan, and Donna Leon, as well as notable German-language authors like Martin Sutter and Andrea Sawatzki.
- Highlights of the festival include the laudation for Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who will receive the inaugural Felix-Jud Prize, worth €20,000, and celebratory events for authors such as Michel Friedman and Andrea Sawatzki.
- In addition to literature, the festival will offer a blend of lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, relationships, pets, travel, cars, and shopping experiences to enrich the audience's overall experience.
- As the festival's new artistic director, Joachim Lux aims to establish the festival as a high-standard event that focuses on unique experiences rather than merely growing in size.
