Interrupting, growing through, bridging. In conversation with Magdaléna Šipka.
The little personalities are just fine
Magdaléna, did you know Leipzig before you came here?
I'm here for the first time. Before that, I spent a year in Marburg and a month in Berlin. I've heard several times that Leipzig is a cool place.
How did you like your accommodation in Leipzig?
My apartment was great, I had a big table where I could write. There was a beautiful terrace in the apartment where you could have a great barbecue in summer, but it was already too cold outside for me.
What was your daily routine like?
I made an effort to structure myself a little (after all, we are in Germany, laughs). I even bought myself a little notepad where I wrote down my wishes for the day. Sometimes I went on outings, but there was no typical daily routine. I write when I feel like it, which actually happened on the train on the way to Leipzig. I came to Leipzig with the aim of writing a completely new book here. I systematically made notes with the people and events: when who was born, what I know about them. I deal with topics that are close to me but that rarely appear in literature, such as polyamory.
What was the artistic goal of your stay in Leipzig?
The aim of the literary residency is to write a story that takes place here. I was able to gather a lot of impressions here, which I turned into a story. And the plan is also to write a whole book - I want to work on the topic of "women in the church". That's my own topic - I studied theology and was active in a feminist activist group that criticized the church. I was harassed because of queer issues. I would love to deal with that in a novel. I'm pleased that I can push these issues onto my characters and don't have to write from a first-person perspective.
Has Leipzig surprised you?
I used to walk through the city at night or very early in the morning and observe the little personalities who work here - cleaners, dustmen. What I like about Leipzig is that when I meet people like that here, they are just fine.
Do you also read contemporary authors from Germany?
Yes, I am interested in books about polyamory, for example, which is not yet so common in the Czech Republic. As an experiment, I even created a profile on an online dating site. People often described themselves as feminists, which I found very appealing. Many of them said that they were open to both monogamous and non-monogamous relationships - I realized that I couldn't imagine that in the Czech Republic. Although I am in a committed relationship myself, I told myself that I would like to meet someone who is open to open relationships, so we could at least talk about the issues. In the end, however, I didn't meet anyone.
Five questions for Magdaléna Šipka.
It's time for our five standard Leipzig questions :)
Your Leipzig and coffee?
I have to admit, I was so enthusiastic about my accommodation at the beginning that I hardly wanted to leave and enjoyed my peace and quiet. But one café that I really liked was BROT & KEES on Lake Cospuden. I discovered the place when I was on my way home by bike. However, I had the best coffee on the Sachsenbrücke - we were there on a Sunday afternoon when everyone was just chilling out and sipping coffee from the trolley. And the park is also very nice.
Your Leipzig and bike?
I was able to use a bike in Leipzig and told myself I would get a second-hand bike straight away, because I think the used bikes here are really cool. I went on a lot of trips and was able to think very well - the best ideas came during a bike tour.
Your Leipzig and culture?
I experienced the celebrations of the Festival of Lights on October 9 to commemorate the Peaceful Revolution. I liked the ceremonial speech and the fact that politicians are present at such events and speak to the people.
Your Leipzig and architecture?
Architecturally, I was fascinated by the Höfe am Brühl - they resemble a UFO. I like the fact that urban planning here is thinking about compactness. Although it is a huge shopping center, the whole complex looks like an integrated unit. And that's despite the fact that there are also historical buildings in the immediate vicinity and different architectural styles.
How did Leipzig affect you?
In a fashion store with fair clothing made of cotton, there were clothes that weren't necessarily intended for slim women. On the street, I noticed how boldly the women here wear their clothes. In the Czech Republic, many women outside the social norm of beauty find it harder to present themselves confidently on the street - in Leipzig I liked that the women are bold and confident. Sometimes you see how different people look - a gentleman who was dressed in rainbow colors and wore a pink cup. Or people wearing all black. Once I walked to the bakery wearing my pyjama bottoms - style "the pink cougar" (laughs) - and it was fine too. For me, Leipzig is synonymous with diversity - I felt a bit of luxury, tolerance and a great openness here.
Thank you for the interview!
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