Reading series «Das andere Buch an der Uni»
- Lukas Hartmann reads from «Bis ans Ende der Meere»
Library of the University of St. Gallen, under the cupola
- Thursday, 2 Juli 2009, 7.30 pm
- Free entry. Reading in German
- Chair: Matthias Peter, Artistic Director, Kellerbühne St.Gallen
About the book
London 1871. By order of the admiralty, the painter John Webber brings a portrait to the widow of James Cook of her husband. Outraged, the widow refuses to accept the present, claiming that she does not recognise her husband in the portrait. Webber is shocked, but he can sympathise with the woman. Upon the return of Cook’s ship, the “Resolution”, the admiralty issued a complete ban on mentioning the details of Cook’s tragic death. And the portrait only has one purpose: to ensure the heroic memory of the great captain and to make sure that he will be remembered as one of England’s noble explorers. But Webber knows the truth about Cook’s four-year journey around the world and the tormenting images that he has been prohibited from painting will haunt him for the rest of his life.
About the author
Lukas Hartmann, born in Berne in 1944, was a teacher first and later studied German and psychology. Subsequently he worked as a youth counsellor, as an editor for the Swiss radio channel, DRS, as a lecturer in journalism, as a leader of writing workshops and as a media consultant. His many travels led him to India, South America and Africa.