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Well-known culture woman Bärbel Schäfer at the sold-out start of the “Leseland” series
Eppstein – The presenter and writer Bärbel Schäfer illustrates loneliness as a “heavy backpack”. A topic that appeals, the start of “Leseland Hessen – Authors read in Eppstein” was sold out. “I’m happy that it’s so full,” said Kristine Zabel from the Kulturkreis, which organizes the events.
In her book “Ava’s Secret – My Encounter with Loneliness,” which was published by Kösel-Verlag in March 2022, Schäfer writes about two women whose paths cross again by chance. One is in the middle of life, has a job, a husband, children, friends. The other, Ava, lives in seclusion. What does loneliness mean, when does it make you sick, what can you do for someone who seems to have fallen out of the world? “I’m interested in the topic,” explained listener Daniela Hofmann. She is not affected, but knows someone close to her. Charlotte Gudd came primarily for her grandmother, a real Schäfer fan. “You have moved to a good city when Bärbel Schäfer goes there,” she said, the Eppstein resident smiled.
The problem doesn’t just affect older people. Young and female are also indicators, according to the “Loneliness Barometer 2024”, a first-ever comprehensive analysis of the “experience of loneliness” in Germany. The loneliness barometer was presented in May by Federal Minister for Family Affairs Lisa Paus.
It was through Ava’s emails, the sister of a friend, that she first sensed the painful dimension of loneliness. Nothing consoles the feeling of freezing to death in inner isolation, said Schäfer. She watches the others live, writes Ava, she feels invisible and can hardly stand the silence.
Loneliness can lead to depression, anxiety disorders or addiction, explains Maike Luhmann, professor of psychology and loneliness researcher at the Ruhr University Bochum, in a survey by the Bertelsmann Foundation “How lonely are young adults in 2024”. Schäfer uses a study from the University of Chicago: Alertness to social threats such as rejection is increased in lonely people. Distrust of others is increasing and many are withdrawing even more. “A vicious circle,” she quotes the concerned journalist Olivia Laing as saying.
217 appointments in the state of Hesse
“Is it your wedding anniversary today or are you there voluntarily?” Schäfer addressed the few men in view of the majority of women in the audience. With such ironic and humorous inserts, she took the depressing edge off the topic without undermining its seriousness. The author tackles difficult topics. In 2016 she wrote “Is there anyone up there?” on the subject of grief, and in 2017 “About my afternoons with Eva – life after Auschwitz”. The idea for the book about loneliness came to her during the pandemic.
The association carefully selects the authors for the readings, says Zabel. They look at what people like to read or what the audience wants. The Department of Literature in the Cultural Circle has been participating in the “Leseland Hessen” literature festival for years. After reading many crime novels, they now wanted “something different”. Three more authors will visit the castle town in the next few weeks. On September 28th, Pia Rolfs will present her most beautiful columns for this newspaper under the motto “Whoever laughs is still alive”. Karin Seemayer from Eppstein will read from her novel “Mountain Lights” on October 12th. On October 25th, the author and filmmaker Julia Finkernagel, who grew up in Hofheim, is coming to Eppstein with her travel stories “Always Eastward”.
“Leseland Hessen” is the largest literature festival in the state. At the 22nd edition, 139 authors are traveling across the country to present their books, from current bestsellers to crime novels and non-fiction. There are 217 readings in the 58 participating municipalities. In addition, non-public school readings are held at schools across the country. The festival is sponsored by the Hessian Ministry for Science and Research, Art and Culture and the Sparkasse Cultural Foundation Hessen-Thuringia, and is coordinated by the Hessian Literature Forum in the Mousonturm. Local partners plan and organize the readings.
