The 11th International Literature Festival Odessa (ilo) will take place from September 17 to 20, 2026, continuing a cultural initiative launched in the city more than a decade ago.
The festival was first held in Odessa from October 1 to 4, 2015. The idea had emerged two years earlier, in October 2013, through Ukrainian writer Andrey Kurkov and cultural managers Hans Ruprecht of Bern and Ulrich Schreiber of Berlin.
From its inception, the festival was conceived as a way to reinforce Odessa’s place on the international literary map and connect the city with writers, intellectuals and cultural institutions from around the world.
The choice of Odessa reflected the city’s long literary tradition. Adam Mickiewicz, Isaac Babel, Ze’ev Jabotinsky, and Ilf and Petrov are among the writers associated with the city. Its cultural landscape also includes the Odessa Opera House, numerous theatres and the Odessa Literature Museum, founded in 1984.
The festival’s founders also emphasised Odessa’s historically multicultural character and its position on the Black Sea as a meeting point between different cultures and traditions.
Similar to the Odessa International Film Festival, founded in 2010, the literature festival was designed to highlight the city’s international character while building connections with other cultural centres.
Since its establishment, ilo has combined literature with discussions of political and social issues. Its programme also involves schools and universities, bringing international authors and literary events to younger audiences.
The association Bebelplatz e.V., founded in October 2023, focuses its activities in Germany and internationally on pressing global political and cultural issues. It invites scholars and artists from different countries to contribute their perspectives to these discussions.
The 2026 edition marks the 11th International Literature Festival Odessa and will run for four days, from September 17 to 20.
International Literature Festival Odessa
17–20 September 2026
Programme
