Barbara Sohm’s bookstore is recognized as one of five bookstores in Austria.
Dornbirn. In her bookshop on Dornbirn’s Bahnhofstraße, Barbara Sohm focuses on a special selection, a cozy living room atmosphere and literary events for young and old. “The shop should be a meeting place where people like to linger. I like people and books: the Rapunzel is open to everyone,” says the owner. The Austrian author Petra Hartlieb was recently a guest at the Rapunzel and read from her first children’s book “At Home in Our Bookstore”. As befits a real bedtime story, the audience, the author and the Rapunzel team came to the reading session in their pajamas and nightgowns. “The Rapunzel was full – Petra Hartlieb inspired the children and they really got involved,” says Barbara Sohm.
With ideas like this, the Rapunzel owner also knew how to convince the independent expert jury of the Austrian Book Prize. The prize, awarded by the Federal Ministry for Art, Culture, Public Service and Sport (BMKÖS) and the Main Association of the Austrian Book Trade (HVB), honors the five Austrian bookstores that were able to convince with their concept in stationary retail. The prize is endowed with a total of 50,000 euros. Five prizes of 10,000 euros each will be awarded. “In the best bookshops I discover books that I didn’t even know I was looking for. Because the best booksellers in the country know their readers and give us ideas,” said Andrea Mayer, Secretary of State for the Arts and Culture.
The Dornbirner Rapunzel is one of the prizewinners in 2023. “When you enter the bookstore, you are immediately enchanted by the warmth, living room character and the wonderful scent of books and self-made wooden shelves,” says the jury’s statement, among other things. The many events, readings and cooperation with libraries are particularly emphasized. The bookstore regularly has playgroups and kindergarten groups visiting and is currently working on a “Children read to children” project with a Dornbirn elementary school. Barbara Sohm is looking forward to the presentation of the bookstore prize on May 23: “Together with my team, I put a lot of heart and soul into the Rapunzel, and we are delighted that this is now being recognised.” The prize is awarded in conjunction with a seal of quality.
