Erika Mitterer
Erika Mitterer (1906-2009) was an Austrian author and poet known for her literary contributions during a tumultuous period in European history. Born in Vienna to a family that valued both the arts and civic responsibility, Mitterer developed an early passion for poetry, notably inspired by Rainer Maria Rilke, with whom she maintained a correspondence. After marrying archivist Fritz Petrowsky, she dedicated herself to writing, producing notable works that often addressed the societal issues of her time. Mitterer's most acclaimed novel, "Der Fürst der Welt," drew parallels between Nazi atrocities and historical events, leading to restrictions on its sale after it gained popularity. Despite facing challenges under the Nazi regime, including censorship, her works remained influential, reflecting her strong moral beliefs and commitment to social issues, particularly through the portrayal of resilient female characters. Throughout her career, Mitterer received several prestigious awards for her contributions to literature and maintained a firm stance against censorship and the prevailing ideologies of her time. Her legacy endures as a testament to the power of literature in confronting oppression.
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Erika Mitterer
Playwright
- Born: March 30, 1906
- Birthplace: Vienna, Austria
- Died: October 14, 2001
- Place of death: Vienna, Austria
Biography
Erika Mitterer was born March 30, 1906, in Vienna, Austria, to Rudolf and Antonie (Loeb) Mitterer. Her father was an architect and civil servant, who instilled a love of nature, physical activity, and a sense of civil responsibility in Mitterer. Her mother was a painter and rooted Mitterer in the arts.
Mitterer began reading poetry at an early age. At eighteen, she read Rainer Maria Rilke’s Die Sonette an Orpheus, and was so moved by the work that she sent Rilke two of her poems. Rilke responded in verse and in doing so, created a long correspondence with Mitterer. In 1950, Mitterer published the letters the two shared.
Mitterer worked as a social worker until her marriage to archivist Fritz Petrowsky, on August 23, 1937. After marrying, she devoted herself to writing full time. Mitterer and her husband had three children. In 1965, Mitterer conveted from Lutheranism to Catholicism with the baptism of her first child.
Mitterer was frequently invited to read her poetry and other writings throughout Austria and Germany until the rise of the Nazis. Although her books were never banned, her novel Wir sind allein (we are alone), was not allowed to be distributed after its initial printing because Mitterer refused to change the leading Jewish doctor character into an Aryan. The book was finally distributed in 1945. A second book of poetry, Gesang der Wandernden (son of the wanderers), was published. Although the Nazis criticized the work in newspapers because of a poem about the biblical figure Judas, Mitterer was permitted to continue writing and felt few repercussions.
Her best-known novel, Der Fürst der Welt (the prince of the world), took Mitterer seven years to research. The story parallels the atrocities perpetuated by the Nazis to those of pre-Reformation Germany. The novel focuses on the fall of nobility and the increase of mercantilism, along with the battles that scholars, artists, and scientists met during the Inquisition. After more than twenty-two thousand copies were sold, over four thousand in Germany alone, the Nazis realized the parallels and prohibited further sales or printings.
In a similar vein, Mitterer’s novel Alle unsere Spiele (all of our games), follows a family torn between members of the family who support Hitler’s rise, and those who belong to the resistance. The book is a clear illustration of how the Nazis came to power, and how such a party could achieve power in the future. Erika Mitterer received the Julius-Reich Prize, 1930, Dank des Lebens; Poetry Prize, City of Vienna, 1948; Enrica Handel Mazzetti Prize, 1971; Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art, 1975; and the Gold Medal of Honor, City of Austria, 1986.
Mitterer held strong always to her religious belief and morality. She resigned from both the PEN club and the Austrian Writers’ League because she did not agree with their liberal attitudes toward obscenities and blasphemy. Her stance against the Nazi party, along with her usage of strong female characters, is her greatest contributions to literature.