The “StadtLesen” is to take place in Penzberg in October. Despite the corona pandemic, those responsible hope to be able to hold the reading festival. The supporting program for the four-day event has now largely been drawn up.
Penzberg– 258 cities had applied for the “City Reading 2020”. Penzberg is one of the 27 municipalities in German-speaking countries that have been selected for this. Larger cities like Vienna usually won the contract, says Katrin Fügener. In view of this, the head of the city library is particularly pleased that the small town of Penzberg has been selected for the second time since its premiere in 2018. Around 2500 visitors came to the town square at the time to browse through books, listen to readings or even take part in a poetry slam - a poet contest.
In view of this success, those responsible for the city and city library now want to do everything possible to ensure that the event can also take place in times of the corona pandemic. Fügener is currently optimistic. "I see very good chances for the normal" StadtLesen "," she said during a conversation on Thursday. After all, one could place the bean bags, which will be distributed at the event on the town square, at the necessary safety distance from one another. "And a poetry slam is also possible at a distance." To be on the safe side, the city hall had already been reserved. Readings could be moved there if the crowds got too big.
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The “StadtLesen” festival was initiated over ten years ago by the Salzburg “Innovationswerkstatt” and its director Sebastian Mettler. The initiative will again ensure that the town square becomes a large reading stage with seat cushions and bookcases this year, according to Fügener. She also organizes the reading of the authors on the opening evening. The rest of the festival has to fill the city library - again with sponsors - with its own ideas. And these are already well advanced.
Fügener reveals that the program for the four-day reading festival is largely in place. A reading by Klaus Modick was planned for the opening evening, Thursday, October 1st. The German writer will read "Keyserling's Secret" from his artist novel at 6:30 p.m. The plot takes place partly in Bernried and therefore reflects “the mood of our area,” added Fügener. On Friday, October 2nd, a poetry slam with “rhyme rush” on the topic of democracy is planned from 6.30 p.m. As in 2018, read "Penzberger for Penzberger" on Saturday, October 3rd. From 10 a.m. city councils, well-known people from the city or ordinary citizens should present their favorite books, according to Fügener. Thekla Krausseneck will then read from her work “Cronos 2” at 5 pm. With this author from nearby Bad Tölz, the main aim is to lure friends of fantasy literature to “city reading”. On Sunday, October 4th, the magician Zodiac is supposed to do magic in the town square from 11 a.m. A reading for children is planned in the afternoon, said Fügener.
Still uncertainty about the children's program when reading the “City”
However, she conceded that it is currently still unclear whether a program for children can be offered at all and in what form, since it is more difficult for this age group to comply with distance and hygiene rules. As far as the children's program is concerned, “we have a lot of ideas in the pipeline,” said Fügener, citing as examples a “book slam”, a book contest, or races with so-called bee bots. These are floor robots in the shape of bees, with which children should learn programming in a playful way.
The aim is to offer something for every age group and thus awaken the desire to read. All offers are free, added Fügener.
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