Ernst Jandl: A century of Viennese poetry and his lasting legacy

Ernst Jandl: A century of Viennese poetry and his lasting legacy

Wien, Österreich - Today the literary world commemorates one of the greatest poet in Austria: Ernst Jandl. On June 9, 2000, the experimental writer died who would have celebrated his 100th birthday this year. Jandl was born in Vienna on August 1, 1925 and came from an artistically interested family; His mother was a teacher and his father's bank employee. Influenced from his mother he started writing and published his first poem at the tender age of twelve years.

His school career played Jandl at the Kundmanngasse high school in Vienna, where he opposed National Socialism at an early stage. After graduating from school, he was drafted into military service in 1943 and spent some time as a prisoner of war in England, where he not only learned English, but was also familiar with American literature. This significantly influenced his later spelling. After returning to Austria, he studied German studies and English and worked as a teacher at a Viennese high school until 1979.

The literary path

his way to the literature officially began in 1952 with the publication of his first poems in the magazine "Neue Wegen". Two years later, his first volume of poems appeared, "other eyes", which shaped Jandl's style by using everyday language and foregoing metaphors. In the following years he worked closely with the writer Friederike Mayröcker, who became his partner and with whom he maintained a creative exchange.

The breakthrough came in 1966 with the publication of the poem band "Loud and Luise", which includes both sound and speech poems and is considered one of the central work of the sound and concrete poetry. This was the first of many works that are characterized by a special joy of experimentation. Jandl was not only known for his poems, but also for his radio plays such as "five men people" and "The Röcheln der Mona Lisa".

influence and legacy

Jandl's influence extends far beyond the borders of Austria. It is considered an important representative of experimental poetry internationally and was a member of the Vienna group who fought against the conservative currents of literary policy. His poem "Schtzngrm" is an example of his innovative and sonorous language that captivates the listener and reader alike.

with numerous awards, including the large Austrian State Prize for Literature and the Great Golden Medal of Honor for Services around the Republic of Austria, his contribution to literature was recognized. Jandl campaigned politically and clearly commented on the challenges of his time. He took the view that it was not barbaric to write to Auschwitz and contradicted the views of prominent characters like Theodor W. Adorno.

Ernst Jandl died at the age of 75 and was buried at the Vienna central cemetery, where his partner Friederike Mayröcker also found her last rest. His literary heir is still recognized, for example by the Ernst Jandl Prize named after him, which is awarded every two years. Jandl's estate is located in the literature archive of the Austrian National Library, and in Vienna there are streets and parks that have its name.

For the literary world, Jandl's work remains a valuable asset that inspires and is fun for generations. His tireless efforts for language and art will remain unforgettable.

You can find out more about the life and work of Ernst Jandl in the reports of meinbezirk.at href = "https://www.oeln.net/ernst-jandl" Target = "_ blank"> oeln.net and wikipedia .