Trustees
The trust LiteraturBasel promotes literature in a range of sectors in the canton and region of Basel with the goal of making literature accessible to as wide a public as possible. To this end, the Trust runs the Literaturhaus Basel, organises the annual international literature festival BuchBasel and awards the Swiss Book Prize in cooperation with the SBCV. The one goal uniting all these activities is the wish to effectively awaken and maintain interest in literature.
The Literaturhaus Basel offers a high-quality programme with the focus on offering authors from all over the world the opportunity to present their latest work. Events include international stars, as well as authors from Switzerland and the Basel region. Moderated talks, readings and discussions are offered, as are writing and reading circles. And once a month there is a reading afternoon for children.
Since 2012, a range of venues in the city and canton have played host to the International Literature Festival BuchBasel. For three days in November, it offers a wide variety of events - from new releases and political debates, to innovative formats for a younger public. The festival hub is the Volkshaus Basel, whilst readings, discussions and performances can be enjoyed in pubs, cafés, the Jazzcampus and many other venues.
With the joint launch of the Swiss Book Prize, LiteraturBasel and the Swiss Booksellers and Publishers Association SBVV sought, and seeks, to focus media attention on outstanding authors with the aim of helping them gain commercial recognition beyond the national borders of Switzerland. It is also an important contribution to promoting the medium of books and reading in general amongst a broad cross-section of the population. Since 2008, the Swiss Book Prize has been awarded annually for the best narrative or essayistic work by a Swiss author.
Board of Trustees
— Dr. Eva Herzog (Präsidentin)
— Andreas Baur
— Christoph Meneghetti
— Anna-Katharina Schmid
— Matthias Schweighauser
Honorary members
— Hans Georg Signer
— Ruedi Tobler
— Beat von Wartburg
Executive Management
— Katrin Eckert: director Literaturhaus Basel