17.06.2026
O-TÖNE Literature Festival at the MuseumsQuartier
featuring Norbert Gstrein, Robert Menasse, Birgit Birnbacher, Josef Winkler, Eva Menasse, and many exciting debuts
Now in its 23rd edition, the O-TÖNE Literature Festival on the MQ Summer Stage once again presents both established and emerging names from the local literary scene and their latest works—including seven premieres that offer a glimpse into the upcoming fall program.
Norbert Gstrein will open the festival on July 9 at 8:00 p.m. with a reading from his acclaimed new novel *Im ersten Licht*. “A novel of the century, marked by great—and at times brutal—elegance”—Christoph Schröder wasn’t the only one in *Die Zeit* to express enthusiasm for Norbert Gstrein’s new novel. Before Gstrein’s reading, the young Salzburg author Katharina Braschel will present her debut novel
*Heim holen*, published this spring by Residenz. Admission is free.
Schedule for the Coming Weeks
In the coming weeks, there will be readings by Robert Menasse (*Die Lebensentscheidung*, July 16, 8:00 p.m.), Birgit Birnbacher (*Sie wollen uns erzählen*, July 23, 8:00 p.m.), Elias Hirschl (Schleifen, July 30, 8:00 p.m.), and Josef Winkler (Das Glück ist ein Engel mit ernstem Gesicht, August 6, 8:00 p.m.).
O-TÖNE heads into its finale with three premieres: On August 13, Sandra Gugić will read from her controversial, as-yet-unpublished manuscript *Nobody Knows We’re Here*. On August 20, Eva Menasse will present her new book *Alleinruhelage*. To wrap up the festival, on August 27, Paulus Hochgatterer will present his long-awaited novel *Mio and Immortality*—in conversation with O-TÖNE curator Klaus Kastberger and just in time for the book’s release date.
Literary scholars Daniela Strigl and Klaus Kastberger are once again in charge of the program.
The Debut Works
This year’s debut works are by David Vajda (Diamonds, July 16, 8:00 p.m.), Lisa Wölfl (An Abandoned House, July 23, 8:00 p.m.), Manuela Tomić (Franček, July 30, 8:00 p.m.), Sarah Wipauer (What Comes Next, book premiere—August 6, 8:00 p.m.), Hans-Joachim Gögl (Father’s Day, book premiere—August 13, 8:00 p.m.), Sasa Hanten (A Talent for Happiness, book premiere – Aug. 20, 8:00 p.m.) and Marlen Mairhofer (Alice, book premiere – Aug. 27, 8:00 p.m.).
25 Years of MQ: "O-TÖNE" Special at the Hof Kunst Fest
At the “Hof Kunst Fest” anniversary celebration, author Dimitré Dinev returns to the MQ, a venue closely tied to the history of the O-TÖNE literary festival: in 2004, he gave the first reading here as part of the then-newly founded festival. Twenty-two years later, he will perform at the Hof Kunst Fest alongside Alexander and Konstantin Wladigeroff and drummer Maria Petrova.
The Hof Kunst Fest on July 2 will bring back highlights from 25 years of MQ history. Together with visitors, artists, and the MQ institutions—Kunsthalle Wien, the Leopold Museum, mumok, and Tanzquartier Wien—the MuseumsQuartier will celebrate its anniversary evening.
For more information and photo downloads, visit www.o-toene.at
The entire program is also available under "Original Audio Clips"
For further information
QUOTES (Press):
Mag.a Petra Eckhart
+43 (0)
664/8565809petra.eckhart@o-toene.at
Anna Lena Schmidt, MAPress and Public Relations | Editorial
DepartmentM. +43 699 130 60
112anna.schmidt@mqw.at | presse@mqw.at
