“Wo das Leben zur Sprache kommt” That’s the motto of the Literaturhaus Salzburg. Look around you. This isn’t just a building. It’s a living testament to literature. This is the Literaturhaus Salzburg housed in the Eizenbergerhof.
Established in 1991 this literary haven occupies Salzburg’s oldest building in the Lehen district. Dating back to around 1600 the Eizenbergerhof has a rich history. It was once a bustling inn. It even served as a military post and a workshop. The city of Salzburg acquired it in 1904. After renovations in the 1980s it was finally dedicated to literature.
The Literaturhaus Salzburg isn’t just a building. It’s home to five different literary organizations. These include the Salzburger Literaturforum Leselampe the Salzburger Autorengruppe and the Salzburg branch of the Grazer Autorenversammlung. Erostepost and prolit also call this place home. Each group is independent in its programming and budget. They all contribute to the lively atmosphere.
The heart of the Literaturhaus is its commitment to literature. This commitment extends to writers from Austria and across the globe. It hosts more than 250 events annually. Over 300000 visitors have attended roughly 5000 events since 1991. Thousands of authors and artists have participated. The house actively promotes readings discussions and workshops. There’s even a lively children’s program.
The influence of H C Artmann is undeniable. This renowned Austrian poet and Büchner Prize winner was instrumental in the Literaturhaus’s founding. He even served on the board. The square in front of the Literaturhaus is named after him a fitting tribute. Since 2008 the Literaturhaus director and the city of Salzburg award the annual H C Artmann scholarship. In 2024 the Literaturhaus established the Helena-Adler-Preis.
The Literaturhaus Salzburg boasts a café named the h c café after H C Artmann. There’s also a library and a media center. The library houses an impressive collection of Austrian contemporary literature. The media center offers a wide array of videos audios and other media resources.
Beyond events the Literaturhaus publishes two literary magazines Salz and Erostepost. It also runs a small publishing house Edition Eizenbergerhof. This small press publishes contemporary Austrian literature. In 2012 a unique book-sharing station a converted phone booth was installed outside the building.
The Literaturhaus Salzburg is more than a building. It’s a vibrant hub for literature a place where ideas flourish. It’s a place where the motto “Wo das Leben zur Sprache kommt” rings true. So take a moment to soak in the literary atmosphere. Let the stories of this special place envelop you.