‘I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal and shared, even at the risk of having it bruised or misunderstood.’

—Audre Lorde, ‘The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action’ (1977)

Building on the success of the last two editions of Middle Ground, this year’s festival turns its focus to the rich literary traditions of Brazilian literatures.

Middle Ground’s Open Mic event is a vibrant platform that celebrates the diversity of literary expression. Contributors explore how orality and migration shape identity, creating a space where words come alive, emotions collide, and connections are forged. All poets and storytellers are welcome to share their work that relates to the theme ‘Voice, Echo, and Location’.

Within the framework of Middle Ground, the event is more than just an open mic night; it’s a celebration of the power of the spoken word, an exploration of our shared humanity through diverse voices and experiences. This year, it’s an opportunity to delve into the intricate web of relationships that connect Brazil to the rest of the world, and explore how these connections have shaped literature, culture, identity, and languages.

Submissions in the form of poetry, spoken word, and other formats that resonate with the recurrent theme of ‘Voice, Echo, and Location’ are welcomed. This could be poetry that captures the cadence of a specific dialect, prose that explores the lingering echoes of historical events, or storytelling that vividly brings to life a particular place.

You are warmly invited to join Middle Ground’s literary journey across seas and cultures. Together contributors will create a tapestry of voices that reflects a rich, diverse, and interconnected literary landscape.

Submission guidelines

To participate, please submit a sample of your work to openmicnight@hkw.de as a text file (.doc or .pdf). Maximum length for submissions: 1,000 words (short text or excerpt).

Texts are accepted in any language provided an English translation is included (with the exception of German).

Submission deadline: 1 September, 2025
Selected authors will be notified by 15 September, 2025
The Open Mic Night takes place on 10 October, 2025

Registration is now closed.

Please note that performances will be limited to six minutes. Remember to bring your energy, passion, and a receptive ear for fellow performers.