Literature and film
Basel, where the famous humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam once published his major works, is still an important literary city today. Basel is also the perfect place for anyone who likes to watch stories on the big screen. From blockbusters to classic series to auteur cinema - everyone will find a movie to their taste here.
Literature events
The Swiss Book Prize is awarded each year in November at the BuchBasel international literature festival . And the international Lyrikfestival Basel at the end of January offers visitors from Switzerland and abroad an insight at today’s poetry scene. The Literaturhaus Basel is another important meeting place for readers, writers and literary enthusiasts with over 100 events a year. The Wortstellwerk on the Dreispitz area offers young writers writing workshops and text coaching.
Libraries in Basel
The “Gesellschaft für das Gute und Gemeinnützige (GGG)” society operates public libraries in all city districts with an extensive range of books and other media in various languages. The library of the University Basel is also open to the public and can be used free of charge. The “Allgemeine Lesegesellschaft” reading society at Münsterplatz maintains a library with a very attractive reading room. The Intercultural Library for Children and Young People (JUKIBU) specialises in children's and youth literature in over 50 languages.
Big and small cinemas
All the major Hollywood productions and a great many European films, as well as a number of non-European films, can be seen on the numerous cinema screens in the Basel region. Many films are shown in the original language with German subtitles – a speciality of Switzerland that contributes significantly to the enjoyment of the film!
- Arena Cinemas
With 14 screens, the Arena Cinemas in the Stücki Center is the largest cinema in the city of Basel. State-of-the-art technology ensures that even the biggest blockbusters can be shown.
- Stadtkino Basel
The Stadtkino Basel is located next to the Theater Basel. It is one of the most important programme cinemas in Switzerland and shapes Basel film culture with special events such as lectures, international conferences, festivals and musically accompanied film screenings.
- kult.kino
The kult.kino atelier at the Theater Basel and the kult.kino camera at the Claraplatz stand out from main-stream cinemas and let you immerse yourself in cinematic discoveries from all over the world with their versatile, lively and sophisticated cinematic art.
- Filmhaus Basel
The Filmhaus Basel is a cultural piece of home in the middle of the old town centre in Gerbergasse, with creative studios for film makers, a small cinema and an atmospheric club as a meeting point, where visi-tors can immerse themselves in cinematic worlds.
- Neues Kino
In the neues Kino in the Klybeck district, politically uncomfortable, aesthetically innovative or regionally explosive works are shown in various formats and provide a framework for expanded analysis and discus-sion.
Open-air cinemas
Large screens are set up in many parks and castle ruins in the region in summer. The highlight, with one of the largest screens in the world, is the Allianz Cinema, which takes place on Münsterplatz over a number of weeks. It offers reruns, premieres and special nights in a unique atmosphere for over three weeks in July and August. Those who prefer their films away from the mainstream can visit exciting retrospectives from new cinema on the roof of a silo in the Rheinhafen.
Film festivals
- Bildrausch Filmfest Basel
The Bildrausch Filmfest Basel has established itself in a few years as an intimate international film festi-val on the Swiss film calendar and offers a multifaceted supporting programme, with discussions with film makers, panel discussions, readings, workshops, artistic interventions and concerts.
- Gässli Film Festival
As a non-profit event with an international flair, the Gässli Film Festival provides cinematic fascination and background information on film making. Film talents are given the opportunity to present their short films or music videos to a larger audience.
Cinema experience for children and adolescents
The Magic Lantern (Zauberlaterne) has been an integral part of Basel's film education and cultural offering for primary school children (from 6 to 12 years of age) since 1994 and aims to increase children's awareness of films in an entertaining way with images and sound. During the school year there are several performances in Basel and at various locations in Switzerland. It is not only regularly recommended by the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK), but it is also supported by the Federal Office of Culture (BAK).
The "Sackgeldkino" offer (pocket-money movies) for everyone under 18 and "Brainstreamkino" for young adults up to 26 allow discounted entry to all sessions at kult.kino.