19. September 2024, at 6 p.m.
Beletrina Bookstore, Maribor

The Association EPEKA, Soc. Ent., will participate in the presentation of Katarina Grabnar Apostolides’ book, Zadnja vijoličasta bledivka (The Last Purple Pansy).

The Beletrina bookstore in Maribor will host a special event for all mushroom lovers and mushroom pickers. The book Zadnja vijoličasta bledivka (The Last Purple Fairy), which describes not only mushrooms and their numerous medicinal properties but also the difficult life of the protagonist, will be presented by mushroom expert and amateur mycologist Katarina Grabnar Apostolides, who wrote the autobiographical book together with writer Ana Schnabl. The discussion will be moderated by Maja Čander, creative director of the Kreativna baza agency and initiator of the book.

The unexpected collaboration between the renowned author and mushroom lover has resulted in a very special book, named after the beautiful purple mushroom. The reason for this title is revealed in the preface, which has a lot to do with Ana’s favorite song by the band Coil and a chance conversation that solves the mystery.

Co-author, mushroom identifier, and amateur mycologist Katarina Grabnar Apostolides immediately explains: “This book is not a mushroom guide, but a biography intertwined with some of my favorite mushrooms and the magic of mycology. Its purpose is to encourage good relations between people and fungi. The book is essentially a work of art in itself, as Ana and I created it together, and it shows how the collaboration of two very different people can be very productive. We would never have been able to do something like this without Ana.”

The Last Purple Pale in its central part, through Ana Schnabl’s vivid and sparkling writing, presents the life of the portrait subject with all its pains and obstacles. It is a unique work that brings the two authors closer together through the discovery and revelation of the sources of their love for fungi, and also invites the reader into the wonderful world of mycelia and biofluorescence. It consists of a central biographical section, which offers countless anecdotes and experiences with fungi, from picking to poisoning, and an appendix presenting some of Katarina’s favorite fungi and recipes. The appendix is embellished with magical illustrations by Anja Jakob Jerčič.

Ana Schnabl adds: “Since I hadn’t written any books about real creatures before Zadnja vijoličasta bledivka, the process challenged me in completely new ways. On the one hand, with the patient editorial support, I had to figure out how to translate complex scientific material into accessible and dynamic language, and on the other hand, Katarina awaited me—how could I do justice to her complex, at times painful life story with my narrative? How to do justice to her character? How to preserve the integrity of a real person? It wasn’t easy, but I think I succeeded.”

In cooperation with the Association for the Integration of Roma Women Loli Luludi.

 

 

The Association EPEKA. Soc. Ent., is supported by: