Closing Ceremony of the 18th Düsseldorf Book Festival 2026

Arriving – Leaving – Staying
: An Intercultural Art and Storytelling Project About Life Journeys

Throughout our lives, we are constantly arriving somewhere new—in new places, at new stages of life
, or in new cultures. Likewise, we say goodbye to the past, to habits
, and to people who have accompanied us part of the way. Some things
, however, remain: memories, influences, and values. And sometimes
we make a conscious decision to stay and put down roots.

Migration, Identity, and Life Journeys: The closing event of the 2026 Reading Festival Week
, titled “Arriving—Leaving—Staying,”explores the multifaceted aspects of farewell, departure
, and finding a sense of home. Birgit Fritz from the MärSinn Story Theater, together with artists
and creators from a wide variety of disciplines, is designing a multifaceted space for shifting perspectives.
Through the lens of migration and personal life journeys, they artistically illuminate the
moments that shape us when we cross boundaries—whether geographical, cultural, or
emotional.

The Closing Event: A Creative Duet
At our closing event for Reading Festival Week 2026, let
surprise you with a harmonious blend of storytelling and music.

Target audience: Teens and adults

Cost: None; the reading is offered free of charge; registration is required.

For more information: Taner Atabek, AI, Phone: 0211.89-24066

Registration: ki.veranstaltungen@duesseldorf.de

Organizers:
, Düsseldorf Municipal Integration Center, and Haus der Kulturen e.V.