The Festival of German-Language Literature (German: Tage der deutschsprachigen Literatur) is a literary event that happens every year in Klagenfurt, Austria. This important festival, which lasts for a few days, includes the giving of several awards. The most important award is the Ingeborg Bachmann Prize, which was first given in 1977 and is one of the most significant awards for literature written in the German language.

History

In the 1970s, journalist and writer Humbert Fink and the chairman of the Austrian Radio and TV (ORF) studio in Carinthia during that time, Ernst Willner, decided to create a literary competition inspired by an event from Gruppe 47. They included Marcel Reich-Ranicki and others on the original jury panel. This effort led to the founding of the Festival of German-Language Literature, which has occurred every year since 1977 and is broadcast live by ORF.

The Ingeborg Bachmann Prize

The main prize of the Festival honors Ingeborg Bachmann (25 June 1926 – 17 October 1973), a well-known Austrian writer. The winner is chosen during a three-day event where invited candidates read their unpublished literary works to a nine-member professional jury and the public. Each reading lasts about 25 minutes, and the works must be written in German. A moderator helps with the readings and discussions. The writers must show the jury and public that their work is of high quality. In 2008, the number of jury members was reduced to seven, and the number of competing writers was lowered from eighteen to fourteen. Since 2006, the prize has been awarded with 25,000 EUR.

Other prizes

Other prizes for literature are given during the Festival, usually between three and five awards. Over time, more prizes that are sponsored have also been given: