Wortsport Festival

WORTSPORT 2026 – Berlin Celebrates the Power of Language

Under the name Wortsport, the festival unites everything that's possible with language on stage – from wordplay, song lyrics, and poetry to storytelling, choral speaking, and human beatboxing, as well as multilingualism, a cappella, freestyle rap, sign language, and, of course, slam poetry.

• In short: disciplines that not only write language but make it audible.
  

Wortsport 26 sees itself as a meeting place for artists seeking exchange and for an audience that wants to experience language in a new way. Here, a double-time rapper and a poetry performer, a storyteller and a beatboxer meet – and together with the audience, they discover new forms of expression and soundscapes.


At the heart of the festival are workshops and stage formats that bridge genres, styles, and generations. Experienced professionals share their knowledge, while fifteen young talents – all born after 1999 – demonstrate the multifaceted and vibrant nature of contemporary language art.


That Berlin is the host city comes as no surprise: With its vibrant multilingualism, international scene, and open culture, the capital is the ideal location for a festival that celebrates language as a unifying force.


And this is just the beginning – Wortsport is intended to be a regular event, becoming a permanent fixture for exchange, encounters, and artistic development. For everyone who loves language, explores it – and brings it to life.