Poetry Summer

Engelberg, 7 July 2026 – As Kempinski Palace Engelberg celebrates five years of rewriting the history of the Grand Hotel, originally built in 1905, the hotel marks this milestone with the launch of ‘Poetry Summer’. From July to August, the Belle Époque Grand Hotel will become a gathering place for lovers of literature and poetry. At the heart of the program is the ‘Writers in Residence’ initiative, presented in cooperation with Diogenes Verlag. Three bestselling authors from Europe’s largest independent fiction publisher will each spend one week at the only five-star superior hotel at the foot of Mount Titlis. Guests include German bestselling author Elena Fischer, Swiss author and director Katja Früh (best known for Lüthi & Blanc), and Austrian writer Melissa Müller, whose biography Anne Frank: The Biography has touched readers around the world. The program is complemented by ‘Silent Reading’ sessions and a growing ‘Poetree’ in the lobby – an invitation to read, write and linger. Through these experiences, the hotel creates a place of inspiration that seamlessly brings the tranquillity of the surrounding Engelberg mountains indoors.

 

Writers in Residence and Readings with Elena Fischer, Melissa Müller and Katja Früh 
Between mid-July and mid-August, each of the three authors will spend a week at the hotel to write, reflect and discover new literary inspiration. During their stay, each author will host a public reading. The events will take place in an intimate setting, with participation intentionally limited to 40 guests per evening to foster a personal atmosphere and meaningful exchange.

 

An Overview of the Diogenes Readings:

 

Melissa Müller Reading: 
Thursday, 16 July 2026, 20:00 
Melissa Müller will read from her latest book, Mit dir steht die Welt nicht still. Eine Liebe nach dem Holocaust (With You, the World Keeps Turning. A Story of Love After the Holocaust). 

Born in Vienna, Melissa Müller is an author and scriptwriter. Her biography, Das Mädchen Anne Frank (Anne Frank: The Biography), has been translated into 25 languages, while its television adaptation received several Emmy Awards. Bis zur letzten Stunde. Hitlers Sekretärin erzählt ihr Leben (Until the Final Hour: Hitler’s Last Secretary), written in collaboration with Traudl Junge, remained on the Spiegel bestseller list for more than a year and served as the basis for the Oscar-nominated film Der Untergang (Downfall). Her latest publication with Diogenes Verlag is Picassos Friseur. Die Geschichte einer Freundschaft (Picasso’s Barber: The Story of a Friendship), co-authored with Monika Czernin.

 

Elena Fischer 

First Reading in Switzerland: Friday, 7 August 2026, 20:00 
Elena Fischer will read from her new novel, Wirf einen Schatten (Cast a Shadow). 

Born in 1987, Elena Fischer studied comparative literature and film studies in Mainz, where she lives with her family. Her debut novel, Paradise Garden (2023), immediately became a bestseller and was nominated for both the German Book Prize and the Debut Prize of the Harbour Front Literature Festival. Paradise Garden has already been translated into 15 languages. Her second novel, Wirf einen Schatten (Cast a Shadow), will be published on 22 July 2026.

 

Katja Früh 

Reading: Friday, 14 August 2026, 20:00 
Katja Früh will read from her novel Vielleicht ist die Liebe so (Perhaps That’s How Love Is). 

Born in Zurich in 1953, Katja Früh is an author and director. After training as an actress in Berlin, she began directing and writing for the theatre in 1978. From 1980 onwards, she worked for Swiss Radio DRS, produced television programmes – including the long-running series Lüthi und Blanc – and collaborated on projects with Martin Suter and Patrick Frey. Since 2014, she has written a regular column for Das Magazin in the Tages-Anzeiger. Vielleicht ist die Liebe so (Perhaps That’s How Love Is) is her first novel.

Registration for the complimentary readings, limited to 40 seats, is available via email using the keyword ‘Lesung’ at [email protected]. 

 

Further ‘Poetry Summer’ Highlights:

• ‘Poetree - Leave a Poem’ 
  Over the summer, a ‘Poetree’ – a tree adorned with poems – will grow in the hotel’s historic lobby. Guests and visitors are invited to write down their favourite poems, original verses or literary discoveries on small cards and hang them on the tree. At the same time, the Poetree offers an opportunity to discover inspiration, evolving into a living work of poetic art throughout the summer.
   
• ‘Silent Reading’ 
  From 13 July to 14 August 2026, The Palace Bar, together with its terrace and winter garden, invites guests to enjoy ‘Silent Reading’ on weekdays from 12:00 to 14:00. Over coffee and cake, guests can unwind with a good book while browsing a carefully curated Diogenes bookshelf.
   
• Reading Pass for Children 
  The hotel’s youngest guests are also invited to take part in the Summer of Poetry through a special Reading Pass. Children receive a stamp for every cosy reading session or story time attended at the Kids Club. Once their card is complete, they can redeem it for a small surprise at the Palace Bar. The Reading Pass encourages a love of books and brings the magic of storytelling to life throughout the hotel.

A Summer Dedicated to Literature and Poetry 
With every poem added to the ‘Poetree’ and every page written by the Diogenes authors during their residency, the story of the historic Belle Époque Grand Hotel continues to unfold. ‘Poetry Summer’ creates space for inspiring stories while offering memorable experiences for everyone who loves literature and wishes to immerse themselves in the magic of the written word in an exceptional setting.

 

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About Kempinski Palace Engelberg: Situated in the heart of the Swiss Alps, close to Lucerne, Kempinski Palace Engelberg (www.kempinski.com/engelberg) reopened in June 2021 following more than five years of construction. The historic Belle Époque landmark has been reinterpreted for a new generation, combining heritage, nature and contemporary luxury. As the first and only international five-star superior hotel in Central Switzerland’s largest winter and summer destination, Kempinski Palace Engelberg is a year-round alpine retreat. More than a century ago, the historic building gained recognition beyond Switzerland when successful Engelberg hotelier Eduard Cattani (1841–1908) commissioned his brother, Architect Arnold Cattani (1846–1921), to design the original structure. Opened in 1904 as the Grandhotel Winterhaus, it laid the foundation for today’s property. Following extensive renovation and the integration of a new five-story extension, the hotel now forms a unified architectural ensemble. Its 129 rooms and suites feature state-of-the-art amenities and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Culinary experiences include Cattani Restaurant, The Palace Bar with the Habanos Cigar Lounge, the Wintergarden, and in winter the Chalet Ruinart. The property also features an 880 sq m rooftop spa with an infinity pool and panoramic views, a Kids Club and a modern event area with nine rooms plus the historic Kursaal for up to 1,000 guests. The hotel is accessible year-round by car, train or within approximately 75 minutes from Zurich Airport. In 2025, Kempinski Palace Engelberg was awarded One MICHELIN Key – ‘A Special Stay’ – by the MICHELIN Guide.

About Kempinski Hotels: Established in 1897, Kempinski Hotels is Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group. Kempinski’s rich heritage of impeccable personal service and superb hospitality is complemented by the exclusivity and individuality of its properties. Today, the Kempinski Group operates 82 hotels and residences in 35 countries and has more than 28 prestigious projects currently under development around the globe. Each five-star hotel reflects the strength and success of the Kempinski brand without losing sight of its heritage; each one imbues the quality guests have come to expect from Kempinski while embracing the cultural traditions of its location. The portfolio comprises historic landmark properties, award-winning urban lifestyle hotels, outstanding resorts and prestigious residences. Kempinski is a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands.

kempinski.com/engelberg · kempinski.com · www.ghadiscovery.com 

* The Kursaal is managed by Kursaal AG Engelberg (www.kursaalengelberg.ch). This company is not part of Kempinski Palace Engelberg – Titlis Swiss Alps. 

Media Contact: 

Kempinski Palace Engelberg
Alexandra Ellerkamp
Cluster Director of Marketing & Communications
Dorfstrasse 40 · 6390 Engelberg · Switzerland
T +41 41 556 40 57 · [email protected]