Claire Keegan c Philippe Matsasopale photo
© Philippe Matsas
Reading and conversation

Claire Keegan

Why do we fail each other?

9.07.2026
Admission: 19:00
Start: 20:30
Old Botanical Garden,
Live-Stream

Claire Keegan (*1968 in Wicklow, Ireland) is considered one of the most important writers of our time. Her stories combine linguistic precision with great emotional intensity and revolve around interpersonal relationships, guilt, and the often unspoken tensions of everyday life. She is regarded as a grandmaster of the short form: not a word too many, every detail carries meaning.

In her latest collection So Late in the Day, Keegan portrays pivotal moments in which relationships fall out of balance. The book is barely 60 pages long – yet marked by a precision and intensity that only Keegan can achieve. At its center are characters who falter due to emotional distance, lack of empathy, and rigid role models, such as in a marriage shaped by silence and self-righteousness. Through clear, pared-down language, the work becomes a powerful reflection on why we fail one another.

Moderation

Blas Ulibarri

Language

The conversation will be in English, some book excerpts will be read in German.

German Speaker

Alicia Aumüller

Bookstall

Organized by the bookstore Hirslanden

Backup venue

If the weather is bad or uncertain, the event will take place indoors at Kaufleuten.

Bar

Enjoy sandwiches, snacks and drinks at the festival bar. Open from 7 pm.

Restaurant

Treat yourself to a fine dinner before the event at Kaufleuten Restaurant, open from 6pm.

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In the next step you will be forwarded to the secure Payrexx payment page. By activating the payment process you agree to the General Terms and Conditions.
The return or exchange of an issued ticket is excluded.
For tickets that are only reserved but not yet paid for, you can cancel the tickets up to 30 days before the event via the user account on the homepage. After this deadline your tickets are valid and will be charged in case of no-show.

In the next step you will be forwarded to the secure Payrexx payment page. By activating the payment process resp. clicking the button "Reserve" you agree to the General Terms and Conditions.
The return or exchange of an issued ticket is excluded.

In the next step you will be forwarded to the secure Payrexx payment page. By activating the payment process you agree to the General Terms and Conditions.
The return or exchange of an issued ticket is excluded.

In the next step you will be forwarded to the secure Payrexx payment page. By activating the payment process you agree to the General Terms and Conditions.