Das Helvetische Fest 2026

As part of the traditional Swiss summer celebration, Julia Weber reads from her new novel "Weil ich Ruth bin" (Limmat, 2026) - a delicately written book about transformation, escaping reality, and longing for what isn't there.

Béla Rothenbühler, this summer's LCB fellow, reads from the standard German first edition of his book "Polyphon Pervers" (Voland & Quist, 2025). Two theatre producers roam the cultural scene of a small Swiss town in a satirical, roguish story that holds nothing back.

The evening rounds off with a musical-literary performance by the Bern duo Fitzgerald & Rimini. Text and voice: Ariane von Graffenried; composition, sounds and bass: Robert Aeberhard.

The event is generously supported by Pro Helvetia. The Swiss Embassy will treat guests to cheese and wine at the close of the evening.