Austrian author enthralls Islamabad audience with literary reading ahead of LLF

2026-02-04 - 23:06

A small yet discerning audience gathered at the residence of Austrian Ambassador Mr Wolfgang Oliver Kutschera on Tuesday evening for an intimate literary encounter that left listeners thoughtful and engaged. The occasion was a special reading by renowned Austrian author Gertraud Klemm, who is currently en route to the Lahore Literary Festival (LLF) scheduled to take place from February 6 to 8, 2026. In a warmly curated setting, Klemm read selected passages from some of her most celebrated works, including Einzeller, Aberland, Herzmilch and others. Although originally written in German, the excerpts were presented in English translation, allowing the audience to fully immerse themselves in her narratives. Despite their European origins, the themes, characters and emotional landscapes resonated deeply with listeners in Islamabad. As one guest observed, the stories felt “very much like Pakistani society,” a testament to the universal power of compelling literature to transcend borders and cultures. Klemm’s brief stopover in Islamabad was thoughtfully arranged by the Austrian mission, offering local readers, writers and thinkers a rare opportunity to interact with the author in an informal yet intellectually rich environment. The evening drew a notable cross-section of the diplomatic, cultural and civil society community. Among the prominent attendees were Swiss Ambassador Mr Georg Steiner, veteran human rights activist Tahira Abdullah, and acclaimed artist Nageen Hayat, all of whom actively participated in the discussion that followed the reading. The question-and-answer session proved as engaging as the literary excerpts themselves, with feminism emerging as a recurring theme. Responding candidly to a question about the challenges faced by women in Austria, Klemm noted that while issues certainly exist, they manifest at a different level compared to many other societies. She reflected on how feminism today is increasingly shaped by social media dynamics, observing that it has become “more liked, commented and shared than truly cared about.” Asked about her expectations from the upcoming visit to Lahore, Klemm described the journey in almost spiritual terms, likening it to a pilgrimage. She expressed visible excitement at the prospect of exploring what she called a “new world,” hinting that the cultural encounters and conversations in Pakistan could well influence her future writing. Sharing personal insights into her journey as a writer, Klemm revealed that she is a biologist by training, who initially turned to writing as an escape from what she described, with a smile, as “boring work.” Writing, however, soon became more than a diversion. Having started at a young age, she gained recognition through literary competitions, eventually establishing herself as a distinctive voice in contemporary Austrian literature. Reflecting on broader social trends, Klemm remarked that Austrian society, like much of the world, is rapidly becoming part of a global community that is more aware and informed, yet paradoxically less integrated.