Portrait
Litar – a place for literature and its promotion. Zurich’s Galerie Litar hosts regular exhibitions and events on literary topics. We also produce publications and projects in the fields of literature, translation and the media.
Litar aims to spark ideas, discover new things and start conversations about rarely raised subjects. To do so, we work with programmes that run for several years and encompass a range of formats. We run our projects ourselves or in collaboration with other institutions.
The Litar Foundation is a non-profit organization; it does not accept funding applications.
Newsletter
Thank you for your interest in Litar. Our newsletter is published in German and informs readers about our current projects and upcoming events. It is sent out four to six times a year and can be cancelled at any time.
Programmes
Litar works on thematic projects that run over several years. Our objective is to explore literary content off the beaten track. In a fast-moving world, Litar takes the time for an in-depth examination of a subject, allowing it to develop on a regional, national and international basis and take effect far beyond the scope of the original programme.
litafrika
Exhibition Trilogy 2022–2024
Litar | Strauhof Zurich
Litar and the Strauhof Zurich are dedicating the exhibition trilogy “litafrika” (2022–2024) to literatures from the African continent. It takes a step-by-step approach to ‘Africa’: from diverse perspectives, and in close dialogue with partners from Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and other countries. In the sense of a participatory process, each part takes up the results of the previous exhibition and sets a new focus.
Exhibitions
litafrika, part 2
Strauhof Zurich, June – September 2023
The second exhibition focuses on the current literary scenes of the African continent. In a series of “artistic encounters”, visual artists, actors and musicians will react to selected novels. The exhibition is designed to be shown on the continent. The exhibition is curated by Zukiswa Wanner (South Africa/Kenya).
litafrika, part 3
Strauhof Zurich, June – September 2024
The third exhibition will be developed jointly in the course of the project.
Reader “litafrika – Poesien eines Kontinents | Poetries of a Continent”
Edited by Christa Baumberger and Rémi Jaccard, 2022.
Designed by Rahel Arnold
With texts and images from and about the exhibition.
Reader in English and German. Poems in original languages and German translation.
Info and order: info@strauhof.ch
Anthology “Afrika im Gedicht”
Edited by Al Imfeld, Münsterverlag, 2015.
Poems in original languages and German translation.
Info and order: Münster Verlag
Pro Helvetia “To-gather” 2022–2024
The Swiss arts council Pro Helvetia will be supporting “litafrika” for its entire length as part of its ”To-gather” programme. This funding structure enables new intercontinental collaborations and the establishment of long-term networks. The objective is to make dialogues between cultures more equitable and sustainable, and to try out new forms of collaboration.
Al Imfeld Article Collection
The collection of articles by the Swiss theologian and Africa journalist Al Imfeld contains newspaper articles on the literatures of the entire African continent from 1960 to 2014. The collection can be viewed at Litar by prior appointment. Al Imfeld article collection: Inventory
Contact: info@litar.ch
Erased from Swiss history: in the diary (from 1827) of Louis Wyrsch, a Swiss military commander serving in the Dutch colonial army in Borneo, the entries about his local ‘housekeeper’ Ibu Silla were excised. | Digital copy: Bernhard C. Schär, rights: Staatsarchiv Nidwalden
Stimmlos
Literature and (In-)Justice
Which voices do we hear and who is denied a voice? Litar provides a platform for writers who were heard too rarely, for a wide range of reasons. Some were institutionalized or even declared incapable of speaking for themselves. Others withdrew and eventually fell silent. What remains is written traces, stories and novels, documents of their lives and sometimes also visual works. The “Stimmlos” (“Unvoiced”) programme acts as an amplifier, following these quiet voices, providing a space for the unheard and presenting stories that have not yet been written.
An installation at Galerie Litar allows visitors to experience the theme of “Unvoiced” with all their senses. Changing exhibitions are shown in a walk-in cell. Voices sound out, combined with images, photography and film. The cell’s confining walls invite visitors to cross mental boundaries.
Current exhibition:
Aus der Stille ... Peter Liechti
Galerie Litar, 8 October to 3 December 2022
More (in German)…
Damian Le Bas, Crisis Time / Refugee Could Be You Could Be Me, 2016 | Photo: Kai Dikhas, Diego Castellano Cano
Weltenweit
Yenish, Sinti and Roma Literatures
Under the title “Weltenweit” (“Worlds Wide”), Litar has focused since 2019 on Yenish, Sinti and Roma literatures and cultures. Switzerland has recognized the Yenish and Sinti as national minorities since 2016. The Roma are still fighting for official recognition in the country, however. The cultures of these minorities are rich and diverse – and yet barely known. Litar organized the “Weltenweit” Festival at Kosmos Zurich (5 and 6 April 2019) to change that. For the first time in Switzerland, Yenish, Sinti and Roma culture formed the focus of a festival. Since then, Litar has held readings, workshops, teaching events and panels in various places in Switzerland and Austria, on our own or in cooperation with institutions such as RomArchive, Initiative Minderheiten Tirol and Radgenossenschaft.
Agenda
Unless otherwise specified, events are listed in the language or the languages in which they will be held.
Information on past events is available here.
Galerie Litar
Galerie Litar stages exhibitions and holds events and workshops.
Opening hours Galerie Litar
Wed | Fr 2 to 6 pm
Sat 1 to 4 pm
and by arrangement
Letzistrasse 23, 8006 Zurich
info@litar.ch | Tel. +41 44 291 99 00
Galerie Litar 2021, photo: Zeljko Gataric
Current exhibition
Previous exhibitions
Contact
The Litar Foundation is based at Letzistrasse 23, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland. We host regular exhibitions and events.
How to get to Litar:
- Tram 10 from Zurich central station to Letzistrasse (10 mins)
- Tram 10 from Zurich airport to Letzistrasse (20 mins)
- Tram 9 from Bellevueplatz to Letzistrasse (10 mins)
Litar © Zeljko Gataric
Litar
Letzistrasse 23, CH-8006 Zurich
Tel. +41 44 291 99 00
info@litar.ch
www.litar.ch
Newsletter
Thank you for your interest in Litar. Our newsletter is published in German and informs readers about our current projects and upcoming events. It is sent out four to six times a year and can be cancelled at any time.
Team
Photos team: Ayse Yavas