VorLaut
New literary voices at Literaturhaus Basel
The VorLaut reading series gives up-and-coming authors a stage as part of the programme of Literaturhaus Basel. Analogous to the opening act at a concert, new writers perform their texts before established authors.
In (pop) music, opening acts have long been part of the programme: talented young musicians perform before the concert of a well-known group. In this way, they are introduced to a wider audience, gain performance experience and benefit from contact with the experienced group.
In the reading series VorLaut, aspiring writers are given the opportunity to present their texts to the public and gain reading experience, have a chance to network and gain insight into the literary world.
The format already existed in a similar form at the Literaturhaus from 2012 to 2016. Sarah Elena Müller, Adam Schwarz, Norwin Tharayil, Anaïs Steiner, René Frauchiger, Laura Wohnlich, and many more have already performed at VorLaut.
From autumn 2023, VorLaut will started its second round in cooperation with the Friends of the Literature Festival BuchBasel and Literaturhaus and with fresh ideas. The next reading series will take place from September 2025 to June 2026.
Call for entries
For the VorLaut reading series, we are looking for texts with a length of 8-10 minutes to be read before the "main act". The genre (prose, poetry, drama, essay) and format (classical, staged, performative, collective reading) are completely open. There are no thematic restrictions. The performers receive a fee for their reading. Any travel expenses incurred will be reimbursed.
Writers from the Basel area can apply. The reading series will start in September 2025.
The call for applications is open until 31 March 2025 (23:59).
The application procedure is anonymous.
Please send us two separate PDFs:
1. A file with your entry text. This document must not contain your name. Here you can briefly note how you envision the presentation.
2. A file with a short biography (max. 400 characters incl. spaces) and your contact details.
In this way, we aim to make the application process as transparent and inclusive as possible.
We especially encourage people with disabilities, LGBTQIA persons, women, BIPoC as well as people with a migration background to apply.
The jury consists of members of the Friends of BuchBasel and Literaturhaus.
Application: via the application form or info@literaturhaus-basel.ch