"Author in Düsseldorf switches gears, launches international diary initiative"
International Authors Share Intimate Diary Entries in "Seiten Wechsel"
In an age dominated by smartphones and digital communication, six international authors have come together to share their personal experiences in a traditional format - a physical diary. "Seiten Wechsel," published by Wortschau Verlag, is an anthology of diary entries from July 1, 2019, to July 7, 2022, and offers a glimpse into the lives of these authors, spanning various continents and emotional landscapes.
Johanna Hansen, a Düsseldorf-based poet, painter, and literary magazine editor, serves as the book's editor. With numerous awards to her name, Hansen has forged connections with fellow writers around the world. Among her collaborators in this project are American colleague David Oates, whom she met during a residency in Paris, and Lettish author Gundega Repsše, whom she encountered at a writers' house in Ventspils.
The diary entries explore themes such as happiness, cold, farewell, and longing, as the authors document their daily lives. On July 1, 2019, Kathrin Schadt, a Stuttgart-born author living in Barcelona, begins her entry with "early morning in Barcelona, in the old forge," evoking a sense of place and time. The presence of Tapatoc, her wing-clipped monk parakeet, interrupting her writing, adds a touch of whimsy to the narrative. Another entry, penned by Gundega Repsše, transports readers to South Latvia, juxtaposing idyllic landscapes with the revelation of her first husband's past spying activities on her behalf of the state security.
As the following years unfold, the authors' entries reflect the global events that have shaped our world. American author David Oates writes about a tumultuous Christmas party in 2019, longing for peace, while in 2020, Johanna Hansen grapples with the challenges of maintaining social connections during lockdowns. In December 2020, Gundega Repsše in Latvia worries about her Corona-infected husband and strained relationships, while James Hopkins, an author living in Kathmandu, grapples with the cold and the disruptions of meditation.
By July 2022, the pandemic is slowly retreating, but a war in Ukraine looms ominously. Johanna Hansen casts her damaged ceramic angel in bronze, symbolizing hope and resilience. The anthology, partly translated into German, is available through Wortschau Verlag and is a testament to the enduring allure of the diary as a medium for sharing intimate stories, beyond the limitations of digital communication.
The studio of Johanna Hansen will be open as part of the Kunstpunkte, offering visitors a chance to explore her poetically picturesque workspace on August 19 and 20. More information can be found on her website, www.johannahansen.de.
Readers can delve into the personal lives of six international authors, exploring various themes and emotions, as they unwind in the pages of "Seiten Wechsel", a diary anthology covering home-and-garden settings and lifestyle experiences, as well as contemplations on books and entertainment. This unique compilation, published by Wortschau Verlag, invites readers to traverse the emotional landscapes of the authors from different continents, offering insights into their day-to-day activities and the global events that have shaped our world.
