Football holds a fascination for people in a way that perhaps no other game can. It is therefore hardly surprising that writers, too, have turned their attention to the phenomenon of football.
The literary material is undoubtedly rich: the elegance and raw intensity of the sport, the immediate connection between powerful emotions and the action on the pitch, the celebrated rise and fall of idols, the unparalleled way in which fans identify with their favourite club, the dark side of this adoration, business machinations, political entanglements and much more besides.
The exhibition explores the unique interplay between football and literature, the poetry of the game and the play on words. It highlights literary texts that deal, either primarily or incidentally, with football and its associated phenomena. Other topics include the love of football among well-known writers, the German national writers’ team, (former) footballers who write, fan literature and football in children’s and young adult books. (Source: Heinrich Heine Institute)
Exhibition opening: 26 September at 6.00 pm, with a supporting programme featuring music, a reception and a guided tour of the exhibition afterwards.
Exhibition dates: 26 September 2026 to 10 January 2027
