A meeting with heart

How books give a 100-year-old a zest for life

Helmut Wlasak and Angela Hainzl were immediately one heart and one soul.(Bild: Wlasak Maria)

Angela Hainzl from Bärnbach is an incredible 101 years old. And in addition to playing "Halma" and "Mensch ärgere Dich nicht", the Styrian has another great passion: reading. The senior citizen is particularly fond of books by former judge Helmut Wlasak and his exciting court cases. The two have now had a heart-warming meeting.  

Last week, former judge Helmut Wlasak surprised one of his most loyal readers with a bouquet of tulips and a box of chocolates: 101-year-old Angela Hainzl from Bärnbach. The meeting came about through the mediation of a former colleague of the judge during his time as a gendarme, Petra Kollegger, who looks after the lady on the side.

Probably the oldest fan
"Petra also organized one of my readings in Maria Lankowitz. There were 300 people there," says "Heli" Wlasak happily. During this event, Petra Kollegger told him about Angela Hainzl, who is probably the oldest reader of his exciting books. After his retirement, the judge wrote two books about his most interesting cases, and the third is in preparation.

Ex-judge Helmut Wlasak with probably his oldest fan: "Tulips are my favorite flowers."(Bild: Kollegger)

Helmut Wlasak brought the Bärnbacher the design for the probable cover. No one before her has ever seen it. "Well, it looks very good," she says happily. "I'm looking forward to the new stories. You've experienced a lot of terrible things, but sometimes funny ones too. That's just life."

 "Nobody has to read to her"
Angela Hainzl immediately won the heart of the Richter legend with her charm. The senior citizen worked for many years in the registration office in the municipality of Bärnbach. She loved to travel and always had a keen interest in world politics. You don't have to read to her despite her 101 years. "She can still do it perfectly on her own," smiles Petra Kollegger.

Angela Hainzl as a very little girl: "How time flies. There are 100 years in between"(Bild: Kollegger)

"Another year has passed"
The West Styrian never gets bored. "Time flies by. I've only just had my 100th birthday. Even the mayor was there. I didn't know him, he didn't know me. He looked when I opened the door. What did he think? That a nurse would open it or that someone would push me in bed towards him?" laughs the likeable lady. "And now another year has passed."