Austrian Society for Literature
The Austrian Society for Literature is an association founded in 1961 for the implementation of literary events and is based in the Viennese Palais Wilczek ( Herrengasse 5).
The Viennese cultural journalist Wolfgang Kraus was the founder and first president of the society. He formulated the goals of the association:
- The presentation of new publications of contemporary Austrian literature.
- The creation of an at least temporary home for emigrants whom official Austria has not brought back.
- Creation of contacts with authors, translators and literary scholars beyond the Iron Curtain.
The association was presented on December 18, 1961, and event activities began in 1962. Erich Fried , Jean Améry , Manès Sperber and Elias Canetti were among the first guests .
The Austrian Society for Literature has so far carried out around 3000 evening events, matinees and symposia with over 4000 guests.
Wolfgang Kraus headed the company until 1994, his successor was the writer Marianne Gruber . Since January 2014, the management has been in the hands of the German specialist Manfred Müller.