AI Theme Evening: Petra Piuk: "Hotel Love"

KLEMENS RENOLDNER, born in 1953 in Schärding, worked as a dramaturg at the Burgtheater in Vienna and as the chief dramaturg of the Vienna Festival, with further engagements at theaters in Germany and Switzerland. From 2008 to 2018, he was the director of the Stefan Zweig Center at the University of Salzburg. He lives in Vienna. He has published short stories, plays, novels, and numerous literary scholarly editions, including "The Story of Two Accused," 2023; "Fine Past the Truth: Stories, Monologues, Reportage," 2021; "Lily's Impatience," 2011. His play "Meran Shines" premiered in 2017.

About the book: For a TV documentary about Franz Schubert's worldwide impact, the Viennese director Felix Tichy spends several weeks researching in Parisian archives. Time of the action: Spring 2025. His girlfriend Sophie has left him in Paris after a bitter argument. However, a 22-page letter from Brazil demands all of Tichy's attention. Florian Lothar, a musician and horn player, a friend from earlier years, has – at least according to the letter written in "expansive old-fashioned handwriting" – fled to the Brazilian jungle and announces his intention to commit suicide. In the letter, he asks Felix to give a speech at his memorial service. He wants to correct some widespread misconceptions about his life story in front of friends and acquaintances. Florian's letter contains the corresponding instructions. A heavy burden, as Felix has many conflicting memories. Furthermore, there is no news about Florian's actual death. Could he perhaps still be alive? Where is he? How can he be reached? Who knows something about him? Felix writes emails, makes phone calls, meets former companions – but clarity remains elusive. (Publisher's text)