With "Wiesbaden reads in summer", nine owner-managed Wiesbaden bookshops are organizing their fourth joint reading festival from 8 May to 18 September - a series of events that celebrates the magic of books and connects people through stories. "Since its inception, "Wiesbaden Reads in Summer" has become a permanent fixture in the cultural calendar of the Hessian state capital, which continues to inspire readers of all ages and with different personal backgrounds," reports Mayor Christiane Hinninger.

This year, there will once again be delightful encounters with authors, inspiring readings, lively discussions and a program that showcases the diversity of literature in all its facets. The range on offer at the reading festival is broad: non-fiction, crime fiction, books for young people, from new discoveries to international bestselling authors.

"I am grateful that all the bookshops that are jointly organizing the reading festival feel closely connected to our city and, above all, to its historic center. It is a great pleasure for me to open the kick-off event of 'Wiesbaden reads in summer' with the bestselling author Anne Stern on May 8 in the town hall," said Hinninger.

From the very beginning, the concept of "Wiesbaden Reads in Summer" has also included reading with authors in unusual places and playing against expectations. "We want to literally open up new spaces: for the book, the live experience and for thinking," says Christina Baum, organizer of the reading festival of owner-managed independent bookshops from Wiesbaden.

The special feature of this year's series of events is that the stores, pubs, cultural institutions and public spaces where the readings take place are all located in the so-called Historic Pentagon, the historic center of Wiesbaden.

"With our offer and the reading festival "Wiesbaden reads in summer", we want to promote city life and coexistence in Wiesbaden. As Wiesbadeners, we care deeply about the city. The city centre is a special anchor and point of identity that people rub up against, but which they can't and won't let go of," emphasizes Christina Baum on behalf of the participating bookshops.

"Wiesbaden Reads in Summer 2025 is funded by the federal program 'Sustainable Inner Cities and Centers', which supports and accompanies the transformation process of Wiesbaden's city center," explains Mayor Hinninger: "The reading festival is an important element of the many innovative measures with which we revitalize the heart of our city and increase the quality of stay. Identity and regionality are of particular importance here.

Bookshops of "Wiesbaden reads in summer"

In the city center:

- Book Café Nero39 (Nerostraße)

- Büchergilde Wiesbaden (Bismarckring)

- Bookshop erLesen (Dichterviertel.)

- Hans J.v. Goetz bookshop and antiquarian bookshop (Rheinstraße)

- Angermann bookshop and map shop (Mauergasse)

- Vaternahm bookshop (An den Quellen)

In the suburbs

- Book corner (Schierstein)

- Bookshop spielen & LESEN (Dotzheim)

- Book VorOrt (Bierstadt)

Event venues

- Badhaus 1520 (Häfnergasse 3)

- Angermann bookshop (Mauergasse 21)

- Haus an der Marktkirche (Schlossplatz 4)

- Stoll hearing aids (Taunusstraße 12)

- Hut Mühlenbeck (Mauritiusstraße 6)

- IHK Wiesbaden - inner courtyard and hall (Wilhelmstraße 24-26)

- Jewish Community (Friedrichstraße 33)

- Kammerspiele Wiesbaden (Lehrstraße 6)

- Kunsthaus Wiesbaden (Schulberg 10)

- L'Art Sucre - Maison Köller (Marktstr. 9)

- Luisenplatz (near Rheinstraße)

- Wiesbaden Town Hall (Schlossplatz 6)

- Theater im Pariser Hof (Spiegelgasse 9)

- Wartburg (Schwalbacher Straße 51)

More information at: www.wiesbaden-liest.com. (opens in a new tab)

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