White Ravens Festival

The White Ravens Festival is a biennial week-long event in Bavaria, Germany, celebrating international children's and youth literature. Organised by the International Youth Library since 2010, it brings together authors and illustrators from Germany and around the world for readings and literary events.

• Held every two years in Bavaria, Germany
• Features authors and illustrators from around the world
• Events take place at Blutenburg Castle and across Bavaria
• Organised by the International Youth Library
• Focuses on children's and youth literature

What it is

The White Ravens Festival is a literary event dedicated to children's and youth literature, held every two years in Bavaria, Germany. Organised by the International Youth Library, it gathers authors and illustrators from Germany and abroad for a week of readings, discussions, and book-related activities. The festival aims to foster a love of reading among young audiences and to highlight outstanding works from around the world. It is a space where stories cross borders, and where young readers can meet the people behind the books they love.

Where it comes from

The festival grew out of the White Ravens catalog, which the International Youth Library has published annually since 1986 to recommend notable new children's and youth books from over 40 countries. In 2010, the library expanded its mission to promote international literature by launching the White Ravens Festival. This biennial event was designed to bring the catalog's spirit to life, connecting readers directly with authors and illustrators through live events and readings.

How it is celebrated

During the White Ravens Festival, invited authors and illustrators present their work through readings and interactive events. Activities are held at Blutenburg Castle, the home of the International Youth Library, as well as in schools, libraries, and cultural venues across Bavaria. The programme includes readings, discussions, and workshops, often featuring award-winning writers from Germany and abroad. The festival creates opportunities for young readers to engage with literature in multiple languages and genres, and to explore themes of universal relevance. The atmosphere is lively and welcoming, with each event tailored to spark curiosity and conversation among children, teens, and adults alike.

Joining in

Visitors can take part in the White Ravens Festival by attending events at Blutenburg Castle in Munich or at participating venues throughout Bavaria. The festival offers a unique chance to hear authors read from their works, join discussions, and discover new books. Whether you are a local or a traveller, you can expect a warm, inclusive environment where literature is celebrated in many voices and forms.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article White Ravens, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• White Ravens on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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