Gießen City Library unveils vibrant spring event lineup for all ages

Gießen City Library Unveils Exciting New Program for January to April

Gießen City Library has released its latest event schedule, packed with promising highlights from January through April. Alongside its well-established and always popular formats, the program features a diverse range of new offerings across a variety of themes.

As always, the library's youngest visitors can look forward to the beloved "Storytime Fun!" sessions, held twice a month—on the second and fourth Saturdays—from 11 AM to 1 PM. Here, little ones can immerse themselves in captivating tales, transported to other worlds as they listen. The library's dedicated volunteers eagerly await all young listeners in the children's section.

The "Friday.Four" series will present a picture-book cinema event on February 6 titled "The Little Ghost: Chaos at Owlstone Castle," hosted by Eva Salzmann for children aged three and up.

On April 10, the library welcomes amateur musical performers Joolz Mlakar and Arda Issi for their interactive concert "Sing & Dance to Detlev Jöcker's Songs." Audience participation—singing, dancing, and joining in—is not just allowed but enthusiastically encouraged!

Both young and old can enjoy a lively board and party game night on February 20, as well as the digital gaming afternoon, held every second Wednesday in January, March, May, July, September, and November. Under the motto "Time to Play," visitors can try out various Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 games from the library's collection between 3 PM and 5 PM.

Literature lovers will also find plenty to enjoy in the new program:

As part of the adult education course "Book Club with Coffee & Tea: Exploring Literature—Modern Takes on Novels," participants will gather over five sessions to discuss a selection of novels.

The "Local.Regional" series will host award-winning author Mirandolina Babunashvili on February 12, where she will share an excerpt from her as-yet-unpublished novel project, "Days in August." Significant portions of the text were written during her "Land in Sight" residency, funded by the Hessian Literature Council in Staufenberg, Giessen district.

The novel tells the story of Lia, who emigrated to Germany with her family as a child but originally hails from a village in a place known only as the "Zone of Fear." Located in Georgia, near the border with the internationally unrecognized state of South Ossetia—a region controlled by the Russian military—this divided landscape shapes Lia's identity. The book's alternating chapters explore her deep connection to both worlds.

In honor of International Women's Day, the Office for Women and Equal Opportunity and Gießen City Library will welcome feminist author, journalist, and activist Nils Pickert on March 18 for a reading from "Princess Boys: How We Can Free Our Sons from the Gender Trap." Pickert, who studied literature and political science, writes for prestigious outlets such as Die Zeit, taz, Switzerland's Tages-Anzeiger, and Austria's Der Standard, where he publishes a monthly feminist column. He gained international recognition for his bold decision to wear a skirt in solidarity with his five-year-old son—a visible stand against gender stereotypes and for greater acceptance. Since 2013, he has been an active member of the anti-sexism and anti-homophobia organization Pinkstinks. His books, including the bestseller Princess Boys, tackle gender-equitable parenting and call for a fresh perspective on masculinity and partnerships. His latest work, Life Partners: Love on Equal Footing, explores modern relationship dynamics.

Another highlight comes from the "Literary Thirst Meets Wanderlust" series, where attendees "travel" through the library's various thematic sections. On April 23, Jörg Heinisch will guide participants into the world of "Sports"—just in time for the FIFA World Cup. Through stories, photos, and videos, he'll introduce audiences to the most extraordinary moments in football, from the Brazilian ball boy who scored a goal to the radio broadcaster who kept commentating long after the final whistle.

With its rich mix of storytelling, music, gaming, and literary discussions, Gießen City Library's new program promises something for everyone.

A Thematic Drink to Quench Visitors' Thirst

This evening, guests will be treated to a themed beverage to match the occasion.

A small sneak peek of the upcoming program is also already available. On May 11, the Hessian Library Day will take place in Gießen under the motto "Democracy Needs Libraries. Libraries Need Democracy." Organized by the Hesse State Association of the German Library Association (dbv)—alongside all libraries across the state—the event has been held regularly since 1992. Beyond serving as a key professional development opportunity, it also engages the public, offering insights into the latest trends and challenges in the library world.

The 2026 Hessian Library Day is part of Gießen's diverse "Liebknecht200" program, marking the 200th birthday of Wilhelm Liebknecht. For the first time, the event will be open to all interested citizens.

Education and access to it were central to Wilhelm Liebknecht's work. He viewed it as the foundation of a just society—and thus of a functioning democracy.

Attendees can look forward to a wide range of lectures and workshops.

The Hessian Library Day is a collaborative effort by the Gießen City Library, Justus Liebig University Library (Gießen), the dbv (Hesse State Association), the Hesse Specialist Agency for Public Libraries, the Professional Association for Information and Libraries (BIB), and the Association of German Librarians (VDB).

General Event Information

Registration is required for individual events. Unless otherwise stated, all events will be held at Gießen City Library. Admission is free unless noted otherwise. For specific dates, please check the website or the latest flyer, available at the town hall entrance, the tourist information office, and, of course, the city library. A digital version is attached.

Note on Children's Events

Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.