In the Book of the books, the Bible, it is a sign of divineness to be able to be and act in two places at the same time.For this one of course has to be in several languages at the same time. For writers, translations into foreign languages are not only highlights in their biographies that serve their reputations, but also amplifiers of their echoes, their spheres, a - at least potentially - multiplication of their audiences.

Simultan on behalf of Ingeborg Bachmann

What a wonderful thing to be talking in one's own mother tongue and at the same time being heard (or read) in seven languages, as for example just now just me. Because what I am just saying can be read on the internet in English, Italian, French, Slovenian, Czech and Spanish: And this of course does not only apply to my comments to the Bachmann Prize, but from this year and this moment onwards for all texts by the poets who compete for the Bachmann Prize. "Simultan" (Simultaneous) is the name of a volume of poetry by the name giver of the Bachmann Prize. One is also simultaneously translating in her name now. London and Paris, Rome and Madrid, Prague and Ljubljana: New promising markets for German or rather German-language literature.

A new dimension for the Bachmann Prize

At the moment these multi-simultaneous translations are of course experiments. But if they prove to be a success, the Bachmann Prize my be lifted to a new dimension, as was the case when the television broadcaster 3sat got involved. So. Now I will use the opportunity to go on the internet and find out what this I have just written looks like in other languages. Maybe something like this: In the book of the books it's a sign of divinity....