When does Anderland 8 take place?

The event takes place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 7:30 PM.

Where does the reading take place?

Anderland 8 takes place in the Interim of the Central Library, Hohe Straße 68-82, 50667 Cologne.

How much is the admission?

The admission costs 12 Euros, reduced 10 Euros.

Who will perform at Anderland 8?

Guests include the writer and translator Esther Kinsky and the writer, poet, essayist, and translator José F. A. Oliver.

What can the audience expect?

Both poets will present poems and provide insights into their poetry workshops. The evening focuses on different poetic forms and perspectives of contemporary poetry.

Where can I get tickets?

Tickets are available for pre-sale through the Bittner bookstore. Remaining tickets may be available at the box office.

Two Poetic Voices Transform Cologne into an Echo Chamber of Contemporary Poetry

Name: A Place of Poetry: Anderland 8
Start: 2026-11-03T19:30:00+01:00
End: 2026-11-03T21:30:00+01:00
Location: Interim Zentralbibliothek

When Poems Become the Echo Chamber of the Present

On November 3, 2026, the City Library of Cologne invites you to the eighth edition of Anderland – A Place of Poetry. Esther Kinsky and José F. A. Oliver will meet in a poetic evening that brings together two contrasting lyrical styles. The event starts at 7:30 PM in the Interim of the Central Library.

Two Voices, Two Poetic Perspectives

Esther Kinsky connects precise perception, landscape experience, and a special sensitivity to transitions in her poetry and prose. The writer and translator from Polish, Russian, and English has been awarded the Paul Celan Prize, the German Prize for Nature Writing, and the Kleist Prize, among others. Her writing opens spaces where nature, memory, and language intertwine.

José F. A. Oliver represents a multifaceted contemporary poetry where origin, multilingualism, and poetic language movement play a central role. The writer, poet, essayist, and translator of Andalusian descent founded and curates the literary festival Hausacher LeseLenz. For his literary work, he has received numerous awards, including the Heinrich Böll Prize and the Federal Cross of Merit.

Insights into the Workshops of Poetry

The evening is not limited to a classic reading. Both poets will provide insights into their poetry workshops and show how poems are created, the significance of rhythm, imagery, and sound, and how individual experiences transform into literary forms. The format makes poetic processes directly accessible and places the art of language at the center.

Literary Quality in Cultural Dialogue

Anderland 8 brings together different poetic narratives: Esther Kinsky's precise, often nature-related perception meets José F. A. Oliver's multilingual language art. This creates a literary dialogue about contemporary poetry, memory, identity, and the possibilities of poetry in cultural discourse.

The event takes place in cooperation with the Literature in Cologne Archive, the Bittner bookstore, and the Institute for the German Language and Literature I at the University of Cologne. Thus, the poetic evening connects literary practice, literature communication, and scientific classification.

Reading Atmosphere in the Interim of the Central Library

The Interim of the Central Library provides the suitable setting for a focused author encounter. Between voice, pause, and reverberation, an intimate reading atmosphere emerges where the linguistic craftsmanship of both poets comes into effect. Visitors can expect a literary experience for all who wish to not only read poems but also experience them in their spoken form.

Conclusion: An Evening for Contemporary Poetry

Anderland 8 promises an evening full of literary tension, poetic precision, and cultural encounter. Esther Kinsky and José F. A. Oliver demonstrate how differently poems sound and how powerful language acts as a space for thought and experience. Those who appreciate contemporary literature, poetry, and demanding author discussions should experience this reading live in Cologne.