Das Gedicht ( ; ; styled in all caps), established 1993, is the largest poetry magazine in the German-speaking world.Die Zeitschrift DAS GEDICHT feiert 20-jähriges Bestehen, news article, Abendzeitung, October 16th, 2012. It was founded by the poet and publisher Anton G. Leitner together with Ludwig Steinherr. Between 1994 and 2007 as well as between 2020 and 2022, Leitner served as its sole editor. Between 2008 and 2019, as well as between 2023 and 2025 Leitner has edited the annual periodical with changing co-editors.
Context German - in comparison to English - being a relatively small language, periodicals, almanacs, and anthologies play an important role in negotiating the most current developments in its contemporary poetry. For this reason, DAS GEDICHT takes a central role in giving new and established voices a forum. It makes new trends in the aesthetics of poetic production visible. The magazine is also indicative of the trends in the ways in which poetry is received by the contemporary German speaking audience.Sprudelnder Quell des Anstoßes, news article, Süddeutsche Zeitung, January 26th, 2011.
Main Focus Since its first edition in 1993, DAS GEDICHT has published original, often seminal work from German-language poets as well as critical essays from contemporary writers and scholars.Complete listing of authors featured in DAS GEDICHT Each edition follows a theme (e.g. erotica, religion, pop, political poetry, poems about children, animals, health, or nature).Dichtung und Religion sind aus demselben Holz geschnitzt , In: Sonntagsblatt – Evangelische Wochenzeitung für Bayern, May 14th, 2002Wo bleibt jetzt der Heiligenschein?, Interview, Publik-Forum, November 14th, 2001 The themes are announced only to subscribers of the magazine. In addition, the book-length editions include criticism and commentary as well as a detailed bibliography of new releases in the genre.Das Gedicht, news article, Basler Zeitung, November 19th, 1993
The work performed by the editors has gained widespread national and international recognition over the years.Deutschland als Lyrikstandort. Nachrichtenbeitrag, Die Welt September 3rd, 1996. Through their broad publicity campaign for the publication, the editors of DAS GEDICHT have not only brought attention to the magazine itself, but have tremendously increased the acceptance and visibility of poetry in the general public.Die Sprache - Das Haus der Dichter, Rezension, Deutsche Tagespost, February 25th, 1997: "Die von Anton G. Leitner seit 1993 herausgegebene Lyrik-Zeitschrift zählt ohne Zweifel zu den wichtigsten Publikationen des deutschen Literaturbetriebs, die sich der Gattung Lyrik angenommen haben." (S. 10) Hence, DAS GEDICHT has often been the root of an international public discourse on the role of poetry in the contemporary world, particularly in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. It also serves as an important archive of contemporary poetry and is a part of a poetic culture of collective memory: for instance, the magazine has published the last poems by Karl Krolow. In order to maintain its independence, DAS GEDICHT operates without governmental funding.Zerstreute Gedichte wieder eingesammelt. Der Weßlinger Lyriker Anton G. Leitner verschafft sich einen Überblick über sein Werk in 25 Jahren. Artikel, Süddeutsche Zeitung, June 16th 2006Klartext statt Volltext. Branchenträger: Der Deutsche Literaturfonds in der Kritik. article, Süddeutsche Zeitung, April 1st/2nd, 2006 On November 7, 2024, the Cultural Committee of the Munich City Council (Kulturausschuss des Münchner Stadtrats) unanimously decided to purchase Anton G. Leitner's literary estate and archives (Initiative of Young Authors, publisher's archive “Das Gedicht”) for the Monacensia Literary Archive of the City of Munich in the Hildebrandhaus. The agreed purchase price is undisclosed.
History Today, DAS GEDICHT ranks among the top-selling poetry publications in the German language and is one of the largest periodicals specifically dedicated to the genre in German. DAS GEDICHT attracted international attention; when it released a listing of Poets of the Century (Vol 7, 1999/2000), which has been published and republished several million times worldwide.Die besten Lyriker des Jahrhunderts. article, Salzburger Nachrichten, September 29th, 1999Lyriker spielen um den Aufstieg. news article, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, September 23rd, 1999NERUDA ENTRE LOS DIEZ POETAS MAS IMPORTANTES DEL SIGLO. news article, EFE, September 21st, 1999 At the turn of the 21st century, Anton G. Leitner had invited 50 leading critics and poets to vote on the national and international Top 100 Poets.Poesie und empirische Sozialforschung. Die Zeitschrift Das Gedicht präsentiert ihre Millenniums-Edition, article, Passauer Neue Presse, October 28th, 1999Un ranking de poetas del siglo fecha de publicion. Artikel, La Nación, September 27th 1999: "Warum mit Dichtern nicht das tun, was auch mit Filmstars, Millionären und Fußballspielern veranstaltet wird? […] Außer Borges wurden auch Roberto Juarroz (58), Alejandra Pizarnik (72) und Olga Orozco (89) in die Wertung aufgenommen. Diese Anerkennung der argentinischen Lyrik kann nicht weniger als zufriedenstellen."
Interventions, like the TOP-100 poets that DAS GEDICHT identified by way of a commission, headed by 50 major literary critics, poets, editors, and literary scholars,Die Lyriker des Jahrhunderts. Zeitschrift kürte Gottfried Benn und Ezra Pound, article, Hamburger Abendblatt, September 22nd, 1999 have made DAS GEDICHT not only an internationally recognized publication for poetry, but also a model for successfully raising cultural awareness of poetry.Selbstmord vor einem geisterhaften Publikum. Im literarischen Dauerlauf: Die Lyrik-Zeitschrift Das Gedicht, Artikel, Sächsische Zeitung, September 11th 1996 With respect to the success of DAS GEDICHT, the Bavarian State Newspaper put for the question: "What is going on with the reading humanity? Why can't they suddenly be without poetry?"Die schönsten Verse der Menschen. article, Bavarian State Newspaper, Dezember 10th, 1999 With DAS GEDICHT in view, the critic and member of the Group 47, Joachim Kaiser, said in the Bayerischer Rundfunk: "Suddenly, we are beginning to understand how important poetry can be."Zeitschriftenschau, Hörfunkbeitrag, Bayerischer Rundfunk, aired September 24th, 1996, 10:20p.m.
The first edition in October 1993 already received widespread attention with over 130 reports in newspapers, magazines, and radio broadcasts discussing its work in every German-speaking country.Gelungenes Gedicht. news article, Süddeutsche Zeitung, November 8th, 1993Wagnis Gedicht. article, General-Anzeiger, November 4th, 1993Rettung für eine "bedrohte Gattung". article, Nordkurier, October 30th, 1993Gegenwartslyrik. Erstes Heft "Das Gedicht". article, Nordkurier, October 15th, 1993Das Gedicht. article, Frankfurter Neue Presse, October 6th, 1993Interview mit Anton G. Leitner. Rundfunkbeitrag, Deutsche Welle, Sendung vom October 18th, 1993Gute Zeiten für Lyrik. news article, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, November 25th, 1993 Many commentators noted its conceptual clarity as well as its international and intergenerational approach.Gegenwartslyrik. Erstes Heft Das Gedicht. news article, Nordkurier, October 15th, 1993Das Gedicht. news article, Frankfurter Neue Presse, October 6th, 1993 This editorial method has made the magazine an "integrative" medium for contemporary poetry in the German language.Das Gedicht. journal article, Der Literat, 35. Yr. No. 10/1993 Like no other publication, DAS GEDICHT was able to initiate a widespread debate on poetry with a broad scope of readers.Poesiezeitschriften. article, Das Goetheanum. Wochenzeitschrift für Anthroposophie, November 14th, 1993 The Stuttgarter Zeitung wrote that the genre poetry is setting out on a "search for the traces of a new identity" with DAS GEDICHT.Gegenwartslyrik. Erstes Heft "Das Gedicht", Stuttgarter Zeitung, October 15th, 1993Das Gedicht. article, Süddeutsche Zeitung, September 8th, 1993
The Erotik-Special Scandal of 2000/2001 On grounds of obscenity, various branches within the German book market boycotted the sale of DAS GEDICHT Volume 8, which was centered on erotic poetry.DAS GEDICHT Nr. 8: Vom Minnesang zum Cybersex. Geile Gedichte, summary of press responses, Anton G. Leitner Verlag, 2000 While intended to simply feature erotic poetry by major contemporary German, Austrian, and Swiss poets, the edition was misunderstood by many in the reading public, who claimed it was pornographic. The editor was scolded by a number of self-announced patrons of morality.Erotische Lyrik im Kreuzfeuer: Lieber Weißbier als erregendes Vorspiel, article, Der Spiegel, September 25th, 2000DAS GEDICHT Nr. 8: Vom Minnesang zum Cybersex. Geile Gedichte, summary of press responses, Anton G. Leitner Verlag, 2000 The Süddeutsche Zeitung wrote, the Erotik-Special was "shocking and authentic."Der Böse Reim auf Öse. Ein Gedichtband aus Weßling erregt die Republik, article, Süddeutsche Zeitung, September 26th, 2000 The Austrian artist Gerhard Rühm contributed Bildstrophen (German lit., iconic stanzas) embellishing the edition´s interior design.Ein lyrisches Symphonieorchester. article, Münchener Merkur, January 23rd 2008Umschlagfoto sorgt für Wirbel. article, Münchener Merkur, September 26th, 2000Goldener Heiligenschein., article, Der Spiegel, July 16th, 2001 The edition sold over 10,000 copies.
At the height of the scandal, the national weekly Der Spiegel said:
A bookstore in Mainz denied the delivery of the magazine, saying that 'the Cathedral was too close by.' In Münster 10 ordered copies were rejected, and a further bookseller sent the magazine right back. In Dachau a recipient poet was so offended by the volume, so that he wrote to the editor, claiming that in the future he'd rather invest in an additional sachet full of Weißbier than to buy another copy of DAS GEDICHT. Blushing, a sales representative in a bookshop said that she couldn't even put the Erotik-Special on display in her store. The Swiss poet and reformed pastor, Kurt Marti,Aufregung wegen Sex-Gedichten. Pfarrer Kurt Marti schreibt im Erotik-Special, Blick, September 30th, 2000 himself featured in the volume, gave the amused remarks that the edition had brought together 'a most multifaceted collection of poems.'"Erotische Lyrik im Kreuzfeuer: Lieber Weißbier als erregendes Vorspiel", article, Der Spiegel, September 25th, 2000
The reactions to DAS GEDICHT Vol. 8 ranged from simple gestures of dismay to crass invectives against the editorsBuchhändler irritiert über Erotik-Ausgabe. article, Der neue Tag, October 7th, 2000Erotik in Versen. Artikel, Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, October 5th, 2000Buchhändler gegen Erotik. Artikel, Stuttgarter Nachrichten, September 27th, 2000Annahme erotischer Lyrik verweigert. Artikel, Kieler Nachrichten, September 26th, 2000Buchhändler weisen erotische Lyrik zurück. article, Leipziger Volkszeitung, September 26th, 2000 and even amounted to multiple death threats, as the sample recording shows.DAS GEDICHT Nr. 8: Vom Minnesang zum Cybersex. Geile Gedichte., Pressespiegel, Anton G. Leitner Verlag, 2000Das Schwein im Reim. article, Süddeutsche Zeitung, October 7th, 2000Erotik kommt nicht ins Haus. article, Neue Presse, September 26th, 2000 The editorial board had already anticipated such reactions and added little perforated paper screens that could be individually used to censor displeasing lines while reading.Schwarze Balken. press release, Department für öffentliche Erscheinungen, October 1st, 2000