In Memory of Ingeborg Bachmann

In this event, Helga Schubert discusses the work of Ingeborg Bachmann. She recently delivered the Klagenfurt Lecture at the Days of Literature under the memorable title “And Lead Us Not Into Temptation”—a passage from the “Lord’s Prayer” that she also applied to the perception of the Austrian writer Ingeborg Bachmann. In her speech, she emphasized: “I would like to point out the temptation to turn to tabloid journalism instead of reading Ingeborg Bachmann’s poems, her short stories, novels, radio plays, librettos, essays, and her attempts at portraiture.” And elsewhere: “It is a thicket of moves, drugs, shattered porcelain, assaults, Dior dresses, the lover’s destroyed diary, and breakdowns—through which I must fight my way to the work, and which then leads me to humility and respect for this extraordinary poet.”

The Ingeborg Bachmann Prize was established in 1976 by the city of Klagenfurt in memory of the writer Ingeborg Bachmann and has been awarded annually since 1977 during the Days of German-Language Literature. In 1980, the poet Günter Kunert nominated Helga Schubert for the prize—but she was denied permission to leave the country by the authorities in the GDR. From 1987 to 1990, she served on the jury, and in 2020—following an invitation from Insa Wilke—she won the competition.

Moderator: Frank Wilhelm