Lesewege

Lesewege is a term used in German-speaking contexts to describe a form of literary and educational experience that links reading to physical spaces through guided routes, trails, or itineraries. The word combines lesen (to read) with Wege (ways or paths). The concept can be executed as walking routes, segments of city tours, or library-driven itineraries that integrate texts with locations, prompts, and media.

A typical Leseweg includes a sequence of stop points equipped with short excerpts, quotations, bibliographic notes, or prompts that encourage readers to reflect, discuss, or read further. Modern implementations often use digital components such as QR codes, audio guides, or mobile apps to provide access to online texts, author notes, or related recommendations. The route may be themed around a literary genre, an author, a historical period, or a local cultural history.

Applications include urban cultural programs, library outreach, school projects, and tourism strategies aimed at fostering literacy, reading motivation, and place-based learning. Lesewege can function as participatory activities that combine reading with walking, social interaction, and civic engagement.

The term is not strictly standardized and may be used interchangeably with Lesepfade, Lesewanderwege, or similar concepts in different regions. It forms part of broader trends in place-based education and cultural tourism that view literature as something experienced in public spaces.