Klagenfurt - Laughter and tears on the last day of the Bachmann competition
The reading for the Ingeborg Bachmann Prize 2024 came to an end with many emotions. After Austrian author Johanna Sebauer had amused the audience and jury in Austrian Klagenfurt with her satire about cucumbers, Slovenian author Tamara Stajner broke down in tears during her reading of her intimate mother-daughter story. The jury was thrilled with Sebauer's story "The Pickle," in which a small vinegar spill escalates into a societal debate about green sauerkraut. The text, seasoned with Austrian swear words like "worthless, rotten, disgusting pickle water," is likely among the favorites for the audience prize, which is in addition to the main prize worth 25,000 euros.
Jury impressed
In "Air Below," Stajner described a relationship between a daughter and mother marked by psychological violence and historical trauma, but also by deep affection. "You can feel the love in the anger and the anger in the love," said jury member Brigitte Schwens-Harrant. In addition to Stajner, Miedya Mahmod also impressed the jury. The Spoken Word talent from the Ruhr area delivered a poetic text fabric under the title "They Don't Want to Express It Badly. Or: Ba, Da." A surreal story by Swiss author Semi Eschmamp called "Is Reality Itself There Where It Doesn't Belong?" could not win over the jury, however.
A total of 14 female and male authors are in the running for the main prize at the 48th German-language Literature Festival, named after Austrian writer Ingeborg Bachmann (1926-1973). Henrik Szanto and Tijan Sila received praise from the jury on the first two days of the competition.
- The audience and jury in Austrian Klagenfurt were entertained by Austrian author Johanna Sebauer's satire about cucumbers.
- The jury was particularly impressed with Sebauer's story "The Pickle," which features Austrian swear words.
- Slovenian author Tamara Stajner's intimate mother-daughter story had the jury in tears.
- In "Air Below," Stajner explores a relationship marked by psychological violence and historical trauma, but also by deep affection.
- Miedya Mahmod, a Spoken Word talent from the Ruhr area, also impressed the jury with her poetic text.
- German television audiences will have the opportunity to watch highlights of the 48th German-language Literature Festival.
- The Ingeborg Bachmann Prize 2024 competition is open to a total of 14 female and male authors from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia.
- The author of the winning story will receive the main prize worth 25,000 euros, as well as the possibility of gaining increased visibility through television exposure and literary awards like the Ingeborg Bachmann Prize.
