A Celebration of Books in Vienna

The popular book fair Buch Wien is one of the most important events of the Austrian book industry.

Buch Wien welcomes over hundred publishers across the space of 12.150 square meters. Aside from thousands of new publications, it offers its visitors plenty of events, talks, panel discussions, literary readings and lectures of both German-speaking and international authors, and numerous activities for children and young adults. This year, between the 10th and 14th of November, Slovakia will have a national stand in Vienna and it will also participate in various events at the fair. The Slovak stand will be in hall D E15.

Events featured within the Donau Lounge will introduce authors Pavol RankovJana Beňová and Michal Hvorecký who will present their books in new German translations. You can find the complete program of the festival here.


 

Friday 12 November 2021 at 4 PM – Donau Lounge

Pavol Rankov will present the German publication of his book Matky  Mütter (Anthea Verlag), translated by Ines Šebesta, which tells daunting stories of mothers and children traumatized by experiences from a gulag.

Marián Hatala will translate for Pavol Rankov, Iris Schmid will read excerpts from the book and Cornelius Hell will be the host of the event. The event is organized by LIC / The Slovak Literary Center in cooperation with the Slovak Institute in Vienna. More information can be found at https://www.buchwien.at/programm/muetter-der-weg-der-woelfin-durch-den-gulag/?kat=all

 

Friday 12 November 2021 at 5 PM – Donau Lounge

The common denominator of the new texts from central, eastern and southeastern Europe and from the Black Sea region are their 45 authors who stayed in Vienna as artists-in-residence at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs between the years 2010 and 2020. Jana Beňová and Ognjen Spahić will participate in the podium discussion, moderated by Tino Schlech.

More information: https://www.buchwien.at/programm/erklaerung-fuer-alles/?kat=all

 

Saturday 13 November 2021 at 6PM – Donau Lounge

Michal Hvorecký will present the German publication of his novel Tahiti Utópia – Tahiti: Utopia (Klett Cotta Verlag), translated by Mirko Kraetsch.

The novel contemplates an alternative Slovak existence. What would the world look like if the Great Hungary still existed and if Slovakia did not? And what about the Slovaks? You would find them in Tahiti, on a small island in the middle of the Pacific, with beautiful beaches, far from the western civilization. Who wouldn’t want a piece of paradise? The event, moderated by Cornelius Hell, is organized by LIC in cooperation with The Slovak Institute in Vienna.

More information: https://www.buchwien.at/programm/tahiti-utopia/?kat=all

 

Sunday 14 November 2021 at 4PM – Donau Lounge

Zwischen Absurdität und Normalität – (Post-)Covid Realität im Alltag der Frauen / Between Absurdity and Normality – (Post) Covid Reality in the Everyday Life of Women: Noémi Kiss, Jana Beňová. Slovak author Jana Beňová will participate in the discussion focused on the experiences of female authors from the Danube region during the pandemics. They will talk about everyday reality and about the pandemics as a source of artistic inspiration. Moderator: Antonia Löffler.

More information: https://www.buchwien.at/programm/zwischen-absurditaet-und-normalitaet-post-covid-realitaet-im-alltag-der-frauen/?kat=all