We use them every day — our phones, our cars, our cookware — but have you ever stopped to wonder how they came to be? Things You Can't Live Without is a podcast that explores the hidden stories behind the materials that shape our world. Hosted by material scientist Dr Anna Ploszajski, each episode features engaging conversations with renowned guests, scientists, and industry experts to uncover how these essential objects are made, their impact on our planet, and what the future holds for producing these items.

Cornelia tells Dr Anna she has hungry hands and that she cannot live without her pen to conjure up her magical worlds. She talks about the importance of the physical process of writing and illustrating, before committing her work to a computer. She also shares her deep passion for the protection of nature and our knowledge of it. They are joined by Rio Tinto’s Chief Executive Australia, Ke​llie Parker, to talk about the importance of rehabilitating nature at mine sites and the ways they are being successfully rejuvenated around the world. Listen to hear about going back to quill and ink, butterfly rehabilitation, and the importance of respecting land which we use for vital materials.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0XBPBEztojDheyLelJ5Rbj

"I follow my friend Mehrdad Zaeri and will leave Instagram and Facebook, because they have become a forum for hate speech that wants to poison the world with pictures and ideas, sowing seeds of doubt, darkness, intolerance and distress. From now on you can find me on Pixelfed, and I hope many of you will join us."

We will add the Pixelfed link to Cornelia's website within the next few days. Until then you can visit her on Pixelfed via this link.

Our "Magical Image Makers" have been joined by a new impressive artist: the illustrator Judith Auer.

Drop by and get inspired: JUDITH AUER

We have already told you much about Cornelia’s artist project at her home in Volterra on here, a place we all lovingly refer to as "Fraggina". Since 2021 she has been inviting many artists from all over the world for residencies there. The project was recently expanded to also include conservationists and because the community of ‘Fragginistas’ keeps growing, Cornelia decided to purchase an additional property near Volterra. Fraggina’s ‘bigger brother’ is called "Mulinaccio" and will allow Cornelia to invite and support even more artists. Permaculture and conservation projects will also play an important role there.

Another exciting new thing that Cornelia is looking forward to, will be that visitors and fans, who are interested will soon be able to meet her at Mulinaccio. Once a month there will be a day when Mulinaccio is open to the public, when Cornelia will be there, signing books and chatting with visitors. A restaurant and store for arts, crafts, and olive oil will also be on site. Cornelia is also calling this project: IL LABORATORIO DEI LIBRI – the book workshop.

The opening is planned for May 2025.

Besides the rooms where guests can stay, there will also be a variety of workspaces, such a ceramic studio and a print studio. And you can harvest inspiration while taking a stroll amongst 800 olive trees

Cornelia is very happy about this opportunity: "I thank all of my readers who gave me the courage and means to further grow and build a public space for this project by making "Colour of Revenge" such a success. My readers made Mulinaccio possible, and I hope they will be big part of this new adventure."

Unfortunately, we CANNOT! accept applications for Cornelia’s project at this time. She only invites guests whose work came to her attention through recommendation or those who have distinguished themselves through one of the regularly competitions she holds with festivals and art schools. The winners of Clara’s Prize, a competition for young story tellers also came to stay this year as well as activists, who the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration sent to Italy. Many of Cornelia’s guests become regular members of the Fraggina community, which now has over 80 members all around the world. They are not only from Germany, Italy, the UK, Spain and France but also from many different Latin American countries, Syria and Ukraine.

On this page we will introduce you to all of the Fragginistas. Why don’t you take a look at some of them by visiting our section "Creative Guests"?

On the 23rd of May a Russian missile strike destroyed one of the largest printing houses in Europe. I heard about it first from a magical Ukrainian illustrator, who is part of my residency program for artists. Her books were printed, too, at Factor Druk and when she learned the news, she wondered whether the seven people who died had also bound her books and looked at her images just a few weeks ago.

We all forget so easily how much the wars that are ravaging this world are connected also to our lives, although we may currently enjoy the privilege of peace. This attack is a terrible reminder that this world is one, and that the pain and death of the others is also our pain and death.

Let’s honor the books that burned in Kharkiv by donating to Ukrainian libraries, bookstores and publishers. Let’s mourn the people who died making them by buying books of Ukrainian artists.

It is so much easier to destroy than to create. Let’s keep on creating to fight those who only know how to destroy. There will be words and songs and images that’ll prove to be stronger than them.

One of the artists from my Artist in Residence program was born and raised in Kharkiv. She sent me this message in response to my comment on the destruction of Factor Druk:

June 1, 2024

"All of us Kharkivites take so much pride in knowing that so many of the books we encounter and love throughout our lives are printed in our hometown. I have so many memories of flipping to the very last page to find the colophon, brimming with joy if I got to see the name of my city there in the tiniest of fonts.

The largest annual book-fair in Ukraine, Book Arsenal, opened its doors 2 days ago. Some of the salvaged books are now on display there, as much proud survivors as battered victims. Seeing the heaps of thousands upon thousands of thick tomes, science textbooks, picture books, and fairytales burned to ash is utterly terrifying and painful, evoking memories of book burnings I've read of in history books and my favorite novels my entire life.

Among the publishing houses printing at Factor Druk was "Ranok", which published most of my school books growing up, as well as a few of your books, Cornelia! Also "Folio" which published "Inkworld" in Ukrainian!

The CEO of Vivat Publishing, which belongs to the same holding as the destroyed printing press, has released an open letter, calling for support and donations, and launched a fundraiser for the victims and the restoration of the printing plant, the details of which can be found in said open letter.

This Ukrainian project has created a map of Ukrainian Bookshelves (in libraries mostly) worldwide:

https://chytomo.com/en/special_project/ukrainian-bookshelves-worldwide-en/

There are also a few possibilities to purchase books printed at Factor Druk in Europe and in the States, for instance:

https://movoslovo.com (this German online store has even launched its own campaign to support Faktor Druk)

https://knyharnia.eu/en

https://ukrbooks.co.uk

https://readua.com

There is no getting used to the constant horrible news from back home, but this attack, in its magnitude, on literature, art, education, culture has hit particularly hard and will surely go down in history. So I'm thankful that we can bring this up here!"

The Karl Kübel Foundation presents the Karl Kübel Award to honor well known persons in public life, for their dedicated support of children and families. This year the foundation presents the award to Cornelia for her multifaceted engagement supporting children and families. On the Foundation’s websiteyou can find out more about the award and the reasons for the selection of the recipient. The award ceremony will take place on September 29th 2023 in Bensheim, Germany.

ESMoA, Los Angeles: The El Segundo based Experimentally Structured Museum of Art is pleased to collaborate again with Cornelia for the upcoming "Experience 53: SCINTILLA", April 27-September 16, 2023. For many years, Cornelia has inspired younger artists to find their own way into the world of storytelling. "Experience SCINTILLA" takes the opportunity to dive into this incredible network of young talent. Through the works on display, visitors can experience how an inspiring environment of like-minded people and an environment in magical places like Bonsall in Malibu or now Fraggina in Tuscany can be activated for a new generation of storytelling. SCINTILLA will showcase a wide variety of incredible works. Visual poetry pairs with expressive storytelling. Intricate drawings are juxtaposed with spirited woodcuts. Vibrant puppet sculptures find a way to artistic tarot cards. ESMoA is certain that SCINTILLA will open the door to everyone's imagination. For those unable to make the trip to LA, the ESMoA.org website will provide an opportunity to at least get a glimpse through a virtual tour.

Draw A Bird Day is April 8th of every year. It is an unofficial holiday, but it has been celebrated for over 70 years. It originated in the United Kingdom. You can find the background story HERE. On Instagram we asked Cornelia's followers to share their birds with us. And here they are! Thanks to Andrea, Nadine, Ani, Nelly, Jana, and Elli

How is Cornelia’s book "Dragon Rider" related to Antarctica? Two new (and very special) articles in our "Stories" section unravel the mystery . Curious? This way, please ....

... and in case you feel like drawing a bird on a run-of-the-mill-day, we are looking forward to more pictures: mail@corneliafunke.com

The Royal Society of Literature is the UK’s charity for the advancement of literature. The RSL International Writers programme celebrates the contribution of writers across the globe to literature in English through a new, life-long honour, recognising the power of literature to transcend borders and bring people together.

In response to sooo many requests, we have brought your furry, feathery, hoofed and finny friends "back home". And we are looking forward to receiving many new pictures of your companions. So, HERE is our gallery.

We've added some more articles to our archive. Stories we fondly remember: https://corneliafunke.com/en/stories

Step into the guestroom and find our quiz show with a sparkling new design AND a new add-on.

... but finally they found us to be part of our "Draw A Bird Day Collection", too.

For over a decade of corneliafunke.com we have been telling stories about Cornelia and her books.

The most interesting ones you will find in our new "Stories" section. Enjoy!