Medien, Film und Fernsehen - Elfriede Jelinek

 When it comes to medien, we usually think of TV, newspapers or Internet. But what about books or theater play? Today I would like to write some words about famous writer - Elfriede Jelinek, whose works concentrate on feminism, politics and social problems.

She was born in Mürzzuschlag (northeastern Styria) but was raised in Vienna by Roman-Germanian Catholic mother and Czech Jewish father. Her parents expected her to become musical 'wunderkind', so from the early age she was taking classes in piano, organ, guitar, violin and viola. Eventually, Elfriede graduated Vienna Conservatory with an organist diploma.
She studied art history and theater at the University of Vienna but had to discontinue her studies due to anxiety disorder. In that time she isolated herself from the whole world for a year. She spent time watching TV and writing.

Jelinek's output has included radio plays, poetry, theatre texts, polemical essays, anthologies, novels, translations, screenplays, musical compositions, libretti and ballets, film and video art. Probably, she perceives writing as a form of therapy. Her works seem to be also controversial. One of her editors says, that all she writes is concentrated on capitalist consumer society, remnants of Austria's fascist past in public and private life and opression of women in patriarchal society. Female sexuality and sexual abuse are prominent topics.

In spite of controversy, 2004 she recived Nobel Prize in Literature. Hovewer, one of the members of the Swedish Academy left the academy as a sign of protest, describing Jelinek's work as 'whining, unenjoyable public pornography'.

Elfirede Jelinek did not accepted the Prize in person due to her strong anxiety disorder and agoraphobia. She prefers to stay away from people and express herself through her writings.

Her newest play - 'Shwarzwasser' was played in the beginning of February at the Akademietheater in Vienna. It is her commentary to latest scandal in politics -'Ibiza-gate'.