50th Mülheimer Theatertage – the forum for contemporary German-language drama

The 50th Mülheimer Theatertage, which took place from 10th to 31st May 2025, is one of the most important theatre festivals in the German-speaking world. Since 1976 the festival has unswervingly dedicated itself to promoting contemporary German-language drama through its annual bestowal of the Mülheimer Dramatikpreis (Mülheim Drama Prize). In addition, in 2010 an equivalent compe-tition was established to award a prize for the best children’s play (the KinderStückePreis). The most effective performances of the seven to eight best plays for adults and the five best plays for children – usually the world premiere of each – are presented in Mülheim in May each year.

However, the focus is not on the production, but on the underlying play text. This concentration on playscripts makes the festival unique in the German-speaking world and indispensable in helping define a contemporary form of dramatic writing. Each year, the Mülheimer Theatertage and the form of the nominated texts are important initiators in the debate around the concept of a play and the constant reorientation of dramatic writing. For just as society changes, so does writing for the stage. Two independent expert committees select the nominated texts from all German-language plays that premiered that season. Two further independent juries, made up of critics and theatre professionals, then award the Mülheim Drama Prize, endowed with 15,000 Euros, and the KinderStückePreis, which has the same value, to the best playwright.

The opportunity to meet with translators, directors, authors and the festival team, as well as en-countering translations through the international “Theatre Translation” workshop, might inspire the visitors to find inspiration for their own productions. In addition to attending the festival, the visitors’ programme offered participants the opportunity to engage in conversations with other representatives and institutions working in the field of theatre and translation.