Veronika Opatřilová is a Czech writer and translator from Swedish. She is fascinated by solitude, wilderness, and relationships that defy conventions. The author of the young adult eco-fiction The Island Lives (Ostrov žije) and the queer novels Wait for the Sea (Počkej na moře) as well as The Song of L. (Píseň L.) will be working on a new novel during her residency in Krems: A story of two strong individuals who confront disappointments, ultimately realizing that life doesn't end when the heart is broken.

Conversation with Veronika Opatřilová: October 17, 6 p.m., Czech Center Vienna

Citizenship: Czech Republic
Residence: October 2024