The already traditional Young Poetry Slam concluded the European Tolerance Talks 2018 on Friday evening, and for the first time multiple participant Lukas Hofbauer (21) from Klagenfurt (living in Graz) won the poetic competition after a brilliant public voting. Last year’s winner, Estha Sackl (25) from Steindorf, placed second ahead of the youngest participant Birgit “Akitas” Hlavka (19) from St. Georgen am Längsee. Hofbauer won with the text “This is not a farewell letter” – with the opening words that paradise can indeed be human. Sackl addressed the poverty problem of many Austrians with her second text “Klane Frau” (Little Woman). Hlavka, who made it to the finale right away, presented her text “The Cycle of Things”, comparing the world to a glass ball and concluding that it was up to us whether it rolls on or will be shattered into a thousand pieces. The Poetry Slam this time was dedicated to the theme “Lost and found: My Paradise” and was held for the fourth time in Fresach. As every year, the texts of the Slammer will be included in the publication of the Austrian PEN Club, which will be published as a follow-up to the European Tolerance Talks 2018 until the end of the year. The publications from the years 2015-2017 are available at the PEN-Club and in Fresach for 19.80 euros. info@fresach.org More photos from the poetry slam in the photo service album.
