Writing On (Weiter Schreiben) – program for literature from zones of war and conflict

In 2017, we asked authors having sought refuge in Germany what they wish for. The answer was always: To keep writing.

Since 2017, we have been translating, illustrating, and publishing poetry and prose—primarily from Arabic and Persian—on our online platform www.weiterschreiben.jetzt, both in German and in the original languages.

We bring together writers in exile with renowned German-language authors in tandem partnerships and organize joint readings. We do this because continuing to write, to be read and heard, is existential for writers—and because we understand these texts as an invaluable enrichment of the literary landscape in Germany. Over the past eight years, a total of 27 books by authors of Weiter Schreiben have been published by German publishing houses.

Visit the Weiter Schreiben website (German language only)

Founded to facilitate the arrival of writers who fled to Germany—both in the country and on the book market—we have relied on personal encounters and network building from the very beginning. This network has grown continuously. We cooperate with literary centers throughout Germany and with more than 150 authors, translators, artists, photographers, and musicians from 19 countries. Since 2019, we have published an annual print magazine, initiated regular literary correspondence projects, and launched a podcast. We have already published two anthologies as part of the program—one with Ullstein (2018) and one with Hörverlag (2022); a third will be published by Ullstein again in 2026.

Parallel to this diversification of media, Weiter Schreiben has also expanded its geographical scope. In 2020, we founded the sister association Weiter Schreiben Schweiz. Since 2021, we have been working with authors in Afghanistan as part of Untold Narratives – Weiter Schreiben. Since 2022, we have expanded our network together with authors from Angola, Egypt, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Eritrea, Iran, South Sudan, and Ukraine.

With the Weiter Schreiben Residency, we created a permanent place for our authors at the Literarisches Colloquium Berlin in 2025. Two authors can settle in there in peace, live rent-free for six to twelve months, and continue writing. Our house offers two bedrooms as well as two representative rooms in which readings and events for up to 50 guests can take place.

Since early 2025, we have been running our outreach project Pipe Up! – Die Wortwerkstatt together with Publix, offering numerous creative workshops for students from Berlin-Neukölln.

Weiter Schreiben is a project of the non-profit organization WIR MACHEN DAS and is funded by the Crespo Foundation, the C.H. Beck Cultural Foundation, the Fondation Jan Michalski, and the Weiter Schreiben Circle of Friends.

The project Untold Narratives – Weiter Schreiben. Correspondence with Afghan Women Authors is a cooperation between the KfW Stiftung, Untold Narratives CIC, and Weiter Schreiben.