Julia Toggenburger
- Switzerland -
Julia Toggenburger, grew up in Winterthur, where she still lives; she studied creative writing at the Swiss Literature Institute in Biel/Bienne. She works as a musician, DJ, radio producer, organizer, and freelance author in Switzerland’s cultural scene. She writes poetry, experimental prose, and texts for the stage. Her work has been supported by the City of Winterthur (2022), Pro Helvetia (2023), and Migros Culture Percentage (2024). Her first poetry collection Nebelgrenze was published in December 2022 by Mäd Book.
Website: https://juliatoggenburger.com
Julia Toggenburger, born in 1991 in Winterthur, Switzerland, is celebrated as one of the most promising new voices in Swiss poetry. Her creative endeavors know no boundaries; she works across various genres, including experimental prose, performance texts, music, and radio production.
Toggenburger’s academic path began at the Swiss Literary Institute in Biel/Bienne, an institution renowned for fostering innovative voices in German-language literature. Alongside her artistic practice, she also organizes numerous events and is deeply rooted in both the cultural fabric of her surroundings and the landscapes of Switzerland. This connection is also metaphorical—her artistic expression reflects a close relationship with nature and a heightened awareness of ecological and existential themes.
In December 2022, Julia Toggenburger published her first poetry collection, Nebelgrenze (Fog Line), released by Mäd Book Verlag in Basel. The collection includes three long poems and eight shorter pieces, which weave together vivid imagery and introspective reflection. The texts seem to capture almost photographic moments, in which memories drift through natural settings. The strength of the collection lies in its ability to evoke a strong sense of place and atmosphere.
“When I write, I try to create a space in which I can let myself be guided by language. Sometimes, thematic concerns fade into the background. What matters is allowing the sound of the language to grow as much as possible, so that I can move freely within it—within this sound.”
Toggenburger is interested in how people respond differently to topics such as the environment, nature, and climate change. What fascinates her is the subjectivity of individual perspectives:
“Depending on one's generation, background, and so on, people have different ways of thinking about what is happening to this world.”
Julia Toggenburger is also a talented musician and DJ. In addition, she produces and hosts radio formats. Her connection to radio and music adds another dimension to her artistic identity and performances, allowing her to experiment with soundscapes and rhythm.
In March 2024, she collaborated with guitarist Omar Fra on a live performance at the Kellertheater Winterthur. This project combined elements of radio play, song, and live performance to explore themes such as environmental change and the human interaction with the natural world. In June 2024, Toggenburger was Writer in Residence in Krems an der Donau as part of the AIR – ARTIST IN RESIDENCE Lower Austria program. During this residency, she worked on a project titled EROSION II, which builds on her earlier text e r o s i o n. This new project marked a shift from structured poetry toward a more prose-like form, enabling her to explore new narrative possibilities.
Julia Toggenburger’s contributions to poetry and the arts are as versatile as they are profound. Whether through her powerful poetry, interdisciplinary performances, or innovative radio productions, she continuously challenges conventional boundaries and invites her audience to engage with her work on multiple levels
Poetry
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from ploughing / aus pflügen
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from downriver / aus fluss hinab
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Junk in Space (lyrics) / Schrott Im All (Songtext)
