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10/09/2020 | Pressemitteilung

Kassel literature: 43 readings now available online

43 texts by authors from Kassel, recorded by readers who also come from Kassel - this project was presented today (13. 10.) by Head of Culture Susanne Völker, Prof. Dr. Nikola Roßbach from the University of Kassel and the Head of the City Library, Mr. Knut Hoffmann.

Image: Nina Skripietz.
Maria Knissel is one of the authors whose works are read.
Image: University of Kassel.
Screenshot of the website.

The recordings are now available as a free download on the city library's website at https://www.kassel.de/einrichtungen/stadtbibliothek/. The project "Literature from Kassel for Kassel: Online Readings" was initiated by Prof. Dr. Roßbach and implemented in cooperation between the University of Kassel and the Kassel City Library.

The online readings include prose and technical literature as well as lyrical texts and range from historical, scientific observations on Kassel's weather and superstition in the 17th century by Hermann IV of Hessen-Rotenburg (1607-1658) to a contemporary novel by Kassel writer Maria Knissel entitled "Letzte Meile." Equally diverse is the selection of the 25 readers who have recorded the texts in their private surroundings. These include Friedrich Block, Eva Schulz-Jander, Andreas Gebhardt and Marlis Wilde-Stockmeyer.

On the occasion of the joint presentation of the online readings, Head of the Department of Culture Susanne Völker emphasized: "This innovative project shows us the wide range of literary genres and topics that Kassel authors are and have been dealing with. I am pleased that this intensive and creative collaboration between Prof. Dr. Roßbach, the University of Kassel, and the City Library is making local literature accessible to a wider audience in this innovative way."

Prof. Dr. Roßbach added: "First we 'texted' Kassel with literature signs for the city's anniversary in 2013. Then, in 2018, we followed up with the 'Little Kassel Literature Encyclopedia,' which introduces more than 450 authors. And now we read to you from the Kassel literature of the centuries: over 13 hours. Hopefully there is something exciting for everyone!"

Prof. Dr. Roßbach has already collaborated with the city library in various contexts. For example, the project "Literature in Kassel - more than just GRIMMig" was already created for the city's anniversary in 2013. There was also cooperation in the context of the acquisition of 2,000 copies from the "Parthenon of Books" by Marta Minujín after documenta 14 in 2017.

Knut Hoffmann, Head of the City Library, is delighted about the renewed collaboration with Prof. Dr. Roßbach: "We were immediately excited about the possibility of presenting the readings on the City Library's website. After all, the diversity of the texts and the readers shows the wide range of literature in Kassel."

 

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Nikola Roßbach
University of Kassel
Department: Modern German Literary Studies
E-mail: n.rossbach@uni-kassel.de

 

 

Knut Hoffmann

Kassel City Library

Tel.: 0561/787-4076