Ernst A. Ekker

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Ernst A. Ekker (born March 4, 1937 in Idar-Oberstein ; † May 18, 1999 in Ravensburg ) was an Austrian writer who mainly wrote children's and young people's books, but also scripts for radio plays , films and dramas as well as prose works .

Life

Ekker grew up in Villach , attended grammar school there and then studied history , German and English at the University of Vienna . He initially worked as a lecturer for Austrian Broadcasting Corporation ( ORF ), and later also for American television stations. His themes were often peace, tolerance and ecology . Children's theater , children's musical and children's opera were at the center of his work .

He died surprisingly on May 18, 1999 from the effects of a cerebral hemorrhage during a visit to Ravensburg.

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Ekker's first children's books were The cherry woman goes into the air (1966), The giant Rocco (1967) and The Secret of Mr. Solemn (1968).

In the 1970s he wrote radio plays, television plays and TV adaptations, mostly in collaboration with Herbert Holba for ORF: The First Days , The Last Werkelmann , the science fiction thriller Countdown and the libretto for Der rosarote Prinz .

He also established himself as a child and youth book author with titles like The Moon hunting , Hepdepaddel and Joseph and The Nahsehfamilie as well as employees read books like The Reading House or anthologies such as The Language Bastelbuch and The Children's Nest .

Together with the Swedish author and illustrator Ulf Löfgren, the enchanting books Komm, Hom and Die Zauberschule have been published by Dachs-Verlag, Vienna. Come on, Hom is the author's serious look at the dangers that threaten the environment. The magic school wants to fight and take away fears.

In the 1980s he wrote scripts for the ORF-rate series like the profile and mirror images , where celebrities presented their favorite books.

Since 1983, when he wrote the libretto for the children's opera Zauberbär und Wünschelstimme for the Carinthian Summer Music Festival in Carinthia , he has written libretti every year and, as a member of the music pedagogical team, has played a decisive role in the Carinthian Summer program. The commissioned compositions include the children's operas Die Stadthüpfer , Quirl , Mystery Columbus , and an opera for adults, Wenn der Teufel tanzt .

In the children's book area he wrote the science fiction stories Springingerl - the flowing creature of Andromeda 7 and Archibald's journey to the lucky planets , the picture books Come, Hom! , The magic school , The children of La Pacanda , And what's beyond the hill? , Papageno is looking for Amadeus , King and Fool and most recently a series of musical picture books with CD about Franz Schubert , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Johann Strauss and Johann Sebastian Bach (all with the illustrations by Doris Eisenburger , the latter was published posthumously in 1999).

His books have been translated into many languages ​​and his plays have also been performed in Italy , Romania and Estonia .

Honors

Ekker's work has received several awards, including the City of Vienna Literature Prize and the Austrian State Prize for Children's and Young People's Literature . He was also awarded the professional title of Professor . The Romanian composer Dan Dediu wrote funeral music in his honor.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Unless otherwise stated, all information from: Memorial page www.the-reflection.com ( Memento from September 26, 2005 in the Internet Archive )

literature

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Ekker, Ernst A.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Austrian writer
DATE OF BIRTH March 4, 1937
PLACE OF BIRTH Idar-Oberstein
DATE OF DEATH May 18, 1999
Place of death Ravensburg