When does the event start?

The event starts on 16.06.2026 at 8:00 PM. Entry and box office open at 7:30 PM.

How much does a ticket cost?

The regular admission costs 12 Euros. For members of the Literary Society, the reduced price is 6 Euros, for students, pupils, and apprentices up to 30 years 3 Euros.

Where does the evening take place?

The event takes place at the City Library Bielefeld at Neumarkt 1 in 33602 Bielefeld.

Is there a booking option in advance?

Yes, the event details announce ticket sales through the specified booking method.

What is the content about?

The focus is on the comparison of poetry and lyrics. Jan Wiele and Walter Erhart discuss similarities, differences, and the development of both forms.

Is the event suitable for literature enthusiasts?

Yes, the evening is particularly aimed at people interested in literature, pop culture, linguistic art, and cultural discourse.

Jan Wiele and Walter Erhart open the space between poem and song in Bielefeld

Name: Jan Wiele & Walter Erhart: Pop and Poetry in Bielefeld
Start: 2026-06-16T22:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-06-16T23:45:00+02:00
Location: Stadtbibliothek Bielefeld

When Poetry Meets Lyrics: an Evening about Language, Sound, and Present

On June 16, 2026, two prominent voices of literary and cultural debate meet in the Bielefeld City Library: F.A.Z. literature critic Jan Wiele and Bielefeld literary scholar Walter Erhart. Their discussion about Pop and Poetry – Poetry or Lyrics leads directly into a question that has fascinated for decades: What distinguishes poetry from song lyrics, and where do their common spaces begin?

A Literary Dispute with Public Resonance

The evening does not rely on academic distance but rather on intellectual tension. Jan Wiele brings his journalistic perspective on literature, pop, and rock music, while Walter Erhart contributes his scholarly view on forms, traditions, and change. This creates a reading atmosphere in the broadest sense: not a quiet reading but a lively conversation about linguistic art, cultural significance, and the question of how literature reaches its audience.

Between Poetic Line and Song Verse

Poetry and lyrics often stand as opposites in the room. However, it is precisely in this tension field that a literary experience unfolds: the condensation of the poem, the catchy power of the refrain, the poetic energy of a voice that transcends music. Those interested in contemporary literature, pop culture, genre boundaries, and the history of literary forms will experience an evening of intellectual depth and cultural relevance.

A Venue with a Suitable Stage for Discourse

The City Library at Neumarkt is one of the central cultural venues in Bielefeld. As a public space for readings, lectures, and exchange, it provides the suitable environment for an author encounter that connects education and the present. The event location is easily accessible, urbanly anchored, and especially fitting for a topic that revolves around literature, language, and public life.

What Makes the Evening Special

The event combines scholarly classification with journalistic focus. This results in an evening that not only informs but opens up perspectives: How is the role of poetry changing in a culture shaped by music, media, and fast forms? What readers does it find today? And why do song lyrics and poems remain so closely related as art forms?

For those who want to not just read literature but experience it in conversation, this is an inspiring occasion with cultural radiance. The audience can expect an intelligent, open, and inspiring exchange that fosters further thinking. This literary event is worth attending live because it transforms the quiet power of language into a publicly audible space.