50th Bachmann Prize: Helga Schubert Urges Focus on Work Over Biography in Klagenfurt Speech (faz.net)

• Helga Schubert (86) gave the Klagenfurt literature speech at the 50th Bachmann Prize
• She quoted her 1980 Stasi file, which branded the competition a West German enterprise
• Schubert urged not to reduce Bachmann's work to biographical stereotypes
• Participant Slata Roschal criticized the jury but still attended

"At the opening of the 50th Ingeborg Bachmann Prize competition in Klagenfurt, Austria, 86-year-old writer Helga Schubert delivered the traditional literature speech. She argued against reducing Ingeborg Bachmann to biographical clichés (nylon nightgown and cigarette) and instead emphasized her literary works. Schubert also quoted from her 1980 Stasi file, which described the competition as a "West German enterprise." Participant Slata Roschal had previously criticized the jury but still took part."