Lesung mit Bernd Marin

Kris Lauwerys will read on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 8:30 PM in the Sonnenburg Library from his new book “From Light into Darkness.” The reading is suitable for adults.

Kris Lauwerys, born in 1972 in Belgium, along with his partner Isabelle Schoepen, has been translating literature from German and French into Dutch for many years. For their commitment to Austrian literature, they were awarded the State Prize for Literary Translation in 2024. In 2025, “From Light into Darkness – Three Women in Vienna 1900–1938: Emilie Flöge, Jesenská, and Veza Canetti” was published by the Residenz Verlag.

From Light into Darkness

Three Women in Vienna 1900–1938: Emilie Flöge, Milena Jesenská, and Veza Canetti

Three Women, Three Paths, One Era

The fashion designer Emilie Flöge, the journalist Milena Jesenská, and the writer Veza Canetti shaped their time. They lived and worked in the vibrant Vienna of 1900 to 1938 – a city caught between cultural and social renewal and political decline. The looming shadows of National Socialism radically changed their lives. Between glamour and exile, adventure and loss, their stories tell of strength, creativity, and the struggle for survival in a shattered world. This book connects the portrait of a city with the life paths of three extraordinary women – a poignant book about courage and change.

Where: Library, Hotel Sonnenburg

Registration is possible at events@sonnenburg.at or at the Sonnenburg reception.

For Sonnenburg hotel and restaurant guests, participation in the reading is free. If you are coming only for the reading, an entrance fee of €5.00 per person will be charged. You can pay the amount directly at the Sonnenburg reception before the event.

Following the success of Sepia and the Awakening of Ink Magic, the second volume of Theresa Bell's atmospheric fantasy trilogy, Sepia and the Conspiracy of Flohall, was released this spring. The story of the orphan girl Sepia, who discovers the secrets of ink magic in the city of Flohall, has proven to be an outstanding debut.

In the first volume, Sepia and the Awakening of Ink Magic, Theresa Bell crafts a richly atmospheric world where ink is more precious than gold, and the art of printing goes hand in hand with alchemy and magic. Bell writes vividly and precisely, with a keen sense of language, rhythm, and character development. Fantastic and historically crafted elements blend convincingly – particularly the depiction of printing is much more than a backdrop: it forms a vibrant aspect of the narrative. In Sepia and the Conspiracy of Flohall, the situation in the city intensifies: as Sepia prepares for her first printing exam, she becomes entangled in a web of intrigue. A mysterious creature with a rat skull appears in Flohall, a legendary book is set to be revealed at the masquerade ball, and traces of a once-feared alchemist suggest that his influence is not yet dispelled.

Once again, Theresa Bell skillfully weaves craftsmanship and fantastic motifs with a gripping conspiracy story. The Sepia series impresses not only with its narrative power but also with the stunning illustrations by artist Eva Schöffmann-Davidov. Alongside the expressive cover design, she brings to life lead lice, ash spirits, and paper creatures in numerous vignettes. Black-and-white and appearing as if drawn with ink, they visually capture the unique flair of the story.

The third and final volume of the series, Sepia and the Secret of the Ink Dragon, will be released in March 2026.

Theresa Bell

studied Japanese Studies and German Studies. She loves fantastic stories, coffee, and drawing. In her free time, she can almost always be found with a pen in hand at her desk, somewhere on the internet, or wandering around her adopted home of Hamburg. Her debut novel "Sepia and the Awakening of Ink Magic" was published in 2024.

Where: Library, Hotel Sonnenburg

Registration is possible at events@sonnenburg.at or at the Sonnenburg reception.

For guests of the Sonnenburg hotel and restaurant, participation in the reading is free. If you are only attending the reading, an admission fee of €5.00 per person will be charged. You can pay the amount directly at the Sonnenburg reception before the event.

Café and patisserie · Snacks · Regional

A small, exquisite café and patisserie with a special flair. Since 1931, we have been treating our guests to cakes, strudels and pastries from our own patisserie – perfect for enjoying. For those staying at home, we have sweet treats to take away.

Here you will find natural bread and the finest baked goods, our own home-brewed Omes beer and our own home-distilled Omes gin.

We serve breakfast all day long. For those feeling peckish, we offer delicious snacks and small hot dishes – ideal for a tasty break in between meals. Enjoy a cup of coffee, one of our cake specialities or an Aperol Spritz on our sun terrace.

Opening hours

Café Gotthard (at Hotel Gotthard)

Season: daily from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Mid-season: closed

Tel.: +43 5583 3560–244