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From May 27th to 29th, the Literature Days are drawing people to Solothurn. As a small guide, the SRF literary editors have put together four highlights that are worthwhile apart from the classic readings and discussions.
The 44th edition of the Solothun Literature Days invites visitors to read, listen and linger. The SRF literary editors have put together four tips for a varied festival weekend from the wide range on offer.
1. Public outdoor readings
Legend:
Again this year in Solothurn: readings in the open air (in the picture: Pedro Lenz 2018 at the Solothurn Literature Days).
Keystone / ANTHONY ANEX
Traditionally, the Solothurn Literature Days do not only take place behind closed doors with ticket controls in halls. An essential part of the supporting program are the freely accessible outdoor readings in the middle of the old town, on the stairs in front of the St. Ursen Cathedral.
Every afternoon from Friday to Sunday, visitors can listen to a total of 16 authors every half hour – the perfect place to pause on an afternoon stroll through the old town and discover new voices.
Attention, lyric!
A special focus of this year’s edition of the Literature Days is on poetry. The German-speaking and especially the Swiss poetry scene has been on the upswing for some time. This can also be seen in the numerous female poets who have now been invited to Solothurn: Simone Lappert, Eva Maria Leuenberger, Yari Bernasconi and Rolf Hermann.
Poetry fans can enjoy a panel discussion in which three poets share their fascination with the short form. And about who else can be reached with such texts.
Metal meets dialect
Dialect fans will get their money’s worth here: A team of authors and journalists translates the lyrics of heavy metal songs from English into dialect. Based on these translations, they start talking about the meaning of heavy metal – and finally play an impromptu concert as a band.
Do dark metal lyrics in dialect suddenly become kitschy or trashy? Do they unfold undreamt-of potential in the dialect? In any case, this evening promises to be entertaining and curious. One can be curious.
translation studios
The Solothurn Literature Days not only give German-speaking authors a stage, but also put those who make foreign-language literature accessible to us in the limelight: translators. They are the focus of various events, including workshop talks and translation studios, where they and “their” authors offer the public insights into their work.
A highlight will certainly be provided by the translator Ulrich Blumenbach, who will talk about his work with the newly crowned Pulitzer Prize winner Joshua Cohen on his novel “Witz” – unfortunately without the author. Joshua Cohen canceled his participation in the Literature Days at short notice. Exciting insights into the translation work are nevertheless guaranteed.
Legend:
Ulrich Blumenbach is a renowned translator and has received numerous prizes, including the Leipzig Book Fair Prize and the Culture Prize of the City of Basel.
IMAGO / Martin Bäuml photo design