Poetry collections of 2026

The German-language poetry scene is currently more experimental, exciting—and political—than it has been in a long time. This evening offers a unique glimpse into it: We asked scholar and critic Antje Schmidt to share her five very personal highlights of this year so far. The result is a reading list of poetry collections published over the course of the year that are particularly compelling: the »fanbook« of a knowledgeable and curious reader in the year 2026.

Antje Schmidt talks to the poet, essayist and translator Nea Schmidt about her debut collection »Sprechen in Flechten«, which is interwoven with everything in the cosmos; and to the poet and essayist Alexander Schnickmann – most recently awarded the German Prize for Nature Writing – about his space-themed, romantic collection »Gestirne«; and with the author and director Jennifer de Negri about her aesthetically infectious long poem »Wolbachia: Liebeslieder im Artensterben. Love Songs in Times of Extinction«.
The other selected publications will be presented on stage in short readings.

Jennifer de Negri: Wolbachia. Love Songs in Times of Extinction (parasitenpresse, 2026)
Jayne-Ann Igel: der meere lidloser schlag (gutleut&gans, published by Gutleut Verlag, 2026)
Nea Schmidt: Sprechen in Flechten (kookbooks, 2026)
Stefan Schmitzer: space waste (Ritter Verlag, 2026)
Alexander Schnickmann: Celestial Bodies. Space Poems (Matthes & Seitz Berlin, 2026)

Special recommendation for everyone aged 9 and over:
Nils Mohl: In the Name of the Spectacle (Tyrolia Verlag, 2026)