Juli Zeh takes over Grimm Guest Professorship at the University of Kassel

Literarily and politically, this year's Grimm Guest Professor Juli Zeh (42) has been one of the most influential German writers for many years. In her works, the lawyer with a doctorate in law addresses topics of legal philosophy as well as questions of cohesion and living together, of norms, power structures and cultural freedom. Most recently, she published the novel "Unterleuten" (2016), in which she depicted social structures in a Brandenburg village from the perspective of various residents. For her literary work, Zeh has received the German Book Prize (2002) and the Thomas Mann Prize (2013), among others.

In addition to her literary work, Zeh has repeatedly appeared with contributions to social and political debate. "Juli Zeh has demonstrated in several public campaigns that political commitment must not be allowed to degenerate into mere lip service," said Prof. Dr. Stefan Greif, Professor of Modern German Literature and member of the selection committee. "Among them are internationally published statements on the Bosnian war and the petition handed over to the Federal Press Office in 2013 to clarify the NSA spying attacks."

In her inaugural public lecture on June 20 (6 p.m.), Ms. Zeh will reflect on her self-image as a novelist, playwright and children's book author under the title "A Page (of Me)." The following day (June 21, 8 p.m.), she will read from her works at the University of Kassel. In addition, there will be a non-public seminar as part of the Institute of German Studies' teaching program entitled "A Page (of You)."

With the Brothers Grimm Professorship, the Institute for German Studies at the University of Kassel annually appoints renowned contemporary authors. In public events for students as well as for citizens of the city, the appointees provide insights into the process of their literary writing. The guest professorship is dedicated to the work of the Brothers Grimm, who lived and worked in Kassel, and above all to those who cross the boundaries between
literature, science and journalism. It is not to be confused with the research professorship "Werk und Wirkung der Brüder Grimm" (Prof. Dr. Holger Ehrhardt).

Public Lecture "A Page (of Me)":
Tuesday, June 20, 6 to 8 p.m.
Lecture Hall 1 in the Campus Center, Moritzstr. 18

Public reading from her work:
Wednesday, June 21, 8 to 10 p.m.
Lecture Hall 1 in the Campus Center, Moritzstr. 18

Photos of Ms. Juli Zeh are available from Thomas Müller: mail[at]MUELLER-foto[dot]com

Contact:
Sebastian Mense
University of Kassel
Communications, Press and Public Relations
Tel: +49 561 804-1961
Email: presse@uni-kassel.de