Literary writing involves fiction, but often also an artistic processing of biographical experiences. Accordingly, the texts submitted to the 21st Over-70s Writing Competition (exclusively for those over 70) on the theme "By Hand" were diverse in both content and form.

Of the 414 participants from across the German-speaking world, the jury has awarded prizes to the following seven authors this year: Marlies Birkle (DE), Angelika B. Hirsch (DE), Karin Hopfe (CH), Michael Lichtwarck-Aschoff (DE), Thomas M. Mayr (DE), Lisetta Steiner (CH) and Peter Weingartner (CH)*.

The coveted prize of this long-established competition, which is supported by the magazine "Schweizer Familie," consists of a joint appearance by the winners at the prestigious "Zürich liest" festival. Then it's off to the Engadine for a week, where, under the guidance of a professional (this year, novelist Heinz Helle), new texts are written – or existing projects are further developed.

The audience at the concluding workshop reading can look forward to brand-new stories, not only written in the Engadine but also set there, as well as excerpts from novel projects that their authors may have been working on for half a lifetime. Experience has shown that all the presented works share the common trait of being as exciting and diverse as the biographies of the people who wrote them.

Presented by: Richard Reich & Heinz Helle
Greetings: Vreni Bolt (Foundation Creative Age), Salomé Schmid (Swiss Family), Beatrice Stoll (Jury)

*In place of Michael Lichtwarck-Aschoff, who unfortunately cannot attend due to health reasons, Marita Häp will participate in the writing week and the final reading. Ms. Häp was among the prize winners in 2025 with her text on the theme of "intoxication"—but was unable to participate herself at the time because she fell off a ladder while gardening…

PS: The 22nd writing competition for those over 70, on the theme of "Homesickness," runs until December 31, 2026. The competition's principle is simple: Any writer born in 1956 or earlier (currently) can submit a text on the given theme.

More information at www.ue70.ch

free entry