Literary Program Announced for the 2026 Munich Security Conference

The project, titled the MSC Security and Literature Series, will run alongside the main conference and, following tradition, will bring together distinguished participants. While the 62nd Munich Security Conference convenes at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof from February 13 to 15, 2026, equally compelling debates will unfold nearby at the Literaturhaus (House of Literature). At Salvatorplatz, authors will analyze the state of the world, offering perspectives that are often clarifying and frequently unconventional. These events are open to the public with free admission; however, pre-registration via the official conference website is strictly mandatory.

Serhiy Zhadan and Czech Representatives to Discuss Europe’s Future

Ukrainian writer Serhiy Zhadan will open the series. In 2022, the 51-year-old author was awarded the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade. His short story collection No One Will Ask for Anything and the play Silence Mode were recently published by Suhrkamp. Following the outbreak of hostilities in his homeland, Zhadan, who resides in Kharkiv, joined the National Guard of Ukraine. In a conversation with Zeit author and journalist Volker Weidermann on February 12 at 7:00 PM, the discussion will focus on a central MSC theme: the uncertain future of Ukraine.

The second evening at the Literaturhaus (also at 7:00 PM) will look ahead to the autumn, when the Czech Republic will be the Guest of Honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair. The role of literature as both a power and a counter-force in Czechia will be discussed by writer Jáchym Topol, colleague and diplomat Tomáš Kafka, and Czech President Petr Pavel.

Security in the Age of AI and Global Change

The panel discussion “Security in an Apocalyptic World,” scheduled for February 14 at 7:00 PM, will feature Austrian author Marc Elsberg, known for his novel Blackout, and American Artificial Intelligence researcher Nate Soares.

Karl Schlögel will speak on the final day of the series, February 15, at 10:00 AM. This appearance will conclude the meeting cycle. The 77-year-old historian and publicist is the current laureate of the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade. Joining him on stage will be Maria Kalesnikava, a representative of the Belarusian opposition. Prior to her release and deportation to Germany, the 43-year-old activist had been imprisoned in her home country.

Source: MSC, Literaturhaus München