For us Switzerland means three things.
Tax avoidance.
Phil Collins.
With the evening "Neue Stimmen from Switzerland", organised by SWIPS - Swiss Independent Publishers - and supported by Pro Helvetia, the (smow)room in Leipzig hosted the second (smow)liest event during the 2010 Leipzig Buchmesse.
And proved that the Alpine Republic, does have more to offer. A lot more.
Roman Graf opened proceedings with his debut novel "Herr Blanc". As a young man Herr Blanc left possibly the only women with whom he could be truly happy. And spent the rest of his life regretting the fact; without realising it. Only at the end of his life, when any hope had - literally- died, must he face the truth that was his life.
The themes of lost love, failure and the eternal search for elusive happiness were then continued in "Das letzte Bild" by Ursula Fricker. In her second novel, Ursula Fricker tells the tale of photographer Flloyd and the, less than succesful, reunion with his 15year old daughter. Set in the wilds of rural Brandenburg, "Das letzte Bild" is a dark, brooding celebration of human nature and fate.
The final author Arno Camenisch brought a new tone to the evening. And indeed another language; Romansh. Although officially presented as Arno Camenisch's first German language novel "Sez Ner" springs back and forth between German and Romansh. And that to great effect. Superficially a comic novel, "Sez Ner" is much more a novel the uses comedy to explore issues of human relationships and the daily problems we all face.
The evening was expertly hosted by Berlin based, Swiss born, journalist Michael Angele who, in addition to presenting the three authors and their works, also stimulated and guided the various discussions.
Is Herr Blanc typically Swiss? And what is Swiss? Can a Swiss author write in German, or should they write in regional dialects?
All in all Neue Stimmen from Switzerland was a highly entertaining and at time thought provoking evening that was very well received by the (smow) audience.
And thankfully no-one thought about Phil Collins the whole evening.
Herr Blanc by Roman Graf is published by Limmat Verlag Zürich.
Das letzte Bild by Ursula Fricker is published by Rotpunktverlag.
Sez Ner by Arno Camenisch is published by Urs Engeler Editor
