SMASH: Feminist Writing Collective Empowering Vienna’s Wieden District

A group of women in Vienna are fostering community and amplifying voices through a unique feminist writing collective. Amani, Jasmin, Lena, and Olivia are members of SMASH, a group dedicated to providing a space for exchange, solidarity, and empowering narratives.

A Space for Voices on the Wieden

SMASH operates within the Grätzllabor Wieden, and the members describe their neighborhood as a place where it’s “quick to be everywhere and yet still feels like a neighborhood.” They value the Wieden’s accessibility, manageable size, and potential for connection and collaborative activity.

The Power of Collective Writing

The group meets monthly to write, sharing their work, offering feedback, and creating a supportive environment. Listening is considered as crucial as the act of writing itself. Meetings take place in locations like Zukunftshandlung or members’ homes, often accompanied by shared meals.

Did You Know? SMASH is described as a “solidarischer Schreibraum für Frauen” – a solidarity writing space for women.

SMASH defines itself as a solidarity writing space for women, utilizing writing as a tool to make experiences, inequalities, and visions visible. The group emphasizes respectful and attentive exchange, and has fostered friendships and a multi-generational community from its initial project group.

From Project to Community

A significant moment for SMASH was their first joint reading, showcasing the strength found in diverse stories and perspectives. The group’s work demonstrates that participation can take many forms, and that strengthening one another is a powerful act.

Expert Insight: The success of SMASH highlights the importance of dedicated spaces for marginalized voices. By prioritizing both creative expression and mutual support, the group is building a resilient community and demonstrating the power of collective action.

The members of SMASH express a desire for others to find similar groups where they can receive mutual support. They are recognized as “Grätzlheldinnen” – neighborhood heroes – for their attentiveness and ability to articulate experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SMASH?

SMASH is a feminist writing collective and a solidarity writing space for women, operating within the Grätzllabor Wieden.

What does SMASH do?

SMASH members write together, share their work, provide feedback, and create a space for exchange, solidarity, and amplifying voices.

How does SMASH define participation?

For SMASH, participation means writing together, listening to one another, and mutually strengthening each other.

How might similar initiatives inspire further community building in other neighborhoods?