The Literaturhaus München is a cultural institution in the center of Munich, dedicated to the teaching of literature and the organization of literary events.
History of the building
The Salvatorkirche is located at the Salvatorplatz. The cemetery surrounding the church was converted into the market square in the 18th century. Through the decision of the Munich magistrate, a school was built there, the market lost its place and was integrated into the ground floor of the new building. The market operation was stopped in 1906 and the building was completely converted to the school. In 1993, the Munich City Council decided to use the buildings, which were largely in need of refurbishment, to be used as a literary house. For this purpose, the state capital of Munich, together with Munich publishers, founded the Stiftung Buch-, Medien- und Literaturhaus München. In 1995, the renovation and reconstruction of the building and the entire Salvatorplatz started. In addition to various event facilities, a library was also created in the building. In June 1997, the Literaturhaus München was opened. Since 2002, the fictional office of the "Mutter Oberin" of the ARDTV seriesUm Himmels Willen is located on the third floor.
Management
From 1996 until the end of June 2016, the literary scientist Reinhard G. Wittmann was the director of the Literaturhaus in Munich. He was replaced,on 1 July 2016, by the publisher and lecturer Tanja Graf.
Tasks
Meeting place for writers, publishers, booksellers and journalists
Training for the employees in the book-keeping sector
Electronic documentation pool for present literature
Forum for all writers and readers
Bavarian Academy of Writing
The Bavarian Academy of Writing offers active, up-to-date literature advice for young authors. Along with this, the Literaturhaus organizes seminars for students of the Bavarian universities of Bamberg, Bayreuth, Erlangen, LMU Munich, TU Munich and Regensburg. These universities have teamed up with the Literaturhaus to annually provide two parallel courses for students, supported by the Bavarian State Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts. Seminars for young authors are also offered in various literary genres.
Literature House Lab
In addition to the public events, readings, discussions and exhibitions, the Literaturhaus München also offers training and programs for students and teachers. In close co-operation with teachers, typists courses for middle schools and grammar schools as well as project days and teacher trainings on literary centers or creative writing are also offered.
In the Brasserie OskarMaria is a art exhibit, created in 1997, by the American artistJenny Holzer, which represents the writer Oskar Maria Graf. It consists of texts written by the author, which can be read on electronic writing boards, but also on furnishing articles, such as benches, tables and utensils.
