Germany's top student reading contest returns to Lörrach in 2026
Germany's largest student reading competition will return to Lörrach on February 11, 2026. The annual event, open to sixth-grade pupils, encourages young readers to develop their skills and engage with books. This year's contest will take place at the City Library, starting at 2:30 PM.
The competition has been running since 1959 and remains one of the country's biggest youth events. Around 600,000 children take part each year, with roughly 7,000 reaching the regional rounds. Organised by the Book Culture and Reading Promotion Foundation, it aims to strengthen literacy and spark interest in literature and social topics.
Participants will read aloud from a book of their choice and an unfamiliar text. The winner of the district finals will progress to state, regional, and national levels, culminating in the national finals in June. Every child who takes part will receive a certificate and a free book as recognition for their effort.
The Lörrach contest continues a long tradition of promoting reading among young people. With thousands of students competing nationwide, the event provides a platform for children to showcase their abilities. The next stage for district winners will be the state-level competition.
