University makes literature audible and visible in Kassel

The project Making Literature in Kassel Audible and Visible is being carried out by German studies students under the direction of Prof. Dr. Nikola Roßbach, Department of Modern German Literary Studies, as well as Martin Graf and Nadia Ouaz; municipal project sponsors are Hendrik Lange (Foreigners' Registration Office) and Knut Hoffmann (City Library). The motto is: "Literature in Kassel - more than just GRIMMig".

The project presents writers from Kassel from the 18th to the 20th century: It is about 45 literary rediscoveries and new discoveries. The contribution of the city of Kassel to literary art and culture is made visible and audible in the city itself. Visible in that literature is "inscribed" in the city: An excerpt from each literary work will soon be read on signs throughout the city. Audible, in that literary voices will resound throughout the city - during a three-hour reading marathon.

Inauguration of the first literature sign at the house Pferdemarkt 15.

On Tuesday, June 4, 2013, literature will become visible for the first time as part of the project: from 4 to 5 p.m., the first of the literature signs will be inaugurated at the Pferdemarkt, house number 15 . The organizers do not yet want to reveal who it commemorates. The celebration will be organized by the Wesertor district office and the anniversary project " Making Literature in Kassel Audible and Visible. After the sign dedication, a walk through Kassel's first "sign forest" will take place with music and muffins: Guests will be able to engage in conversation with the students presenting the as-yet-unattached literature signs about the authors and the quotes they have chosen.

Reading Marathon Kassel NONSTOP

On Tuesday, June 11, 2013, 2-5 p.m. ,Kassel citizens, students, teachers will create areading marathon on Opernplatz. Passers-by are cordially invited to participate; everyone is allowed to read for five minutes. The Grimm brothers, Georg Forster, Malwida von Meysenbug and Christine Brückner will have their say, as will Heinrich Jonas, Caroline Engelhardt, Philipp Scheidemann, Freiherr Adoph Knigge, Salomon Hermann Mosenthal, Marie Calm, Kurt Finkenstein and many more.

They will be heard by the Literaturbüro Nordhessen, the Student Theater Kassel, the Director of the University Library Dr. Axel Halle, the Vice-President of the University Prof. Dr. Claudia Brinker-von der Heyde, writers from Kassel, numerous members of the Institute of German Studies, lecturers and students. From 3:30 to 3:35 p.m., Kassel's mayor Bertram Hilgen will read.

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Nikola Roßbach
University of Kassel

Institute of German Studies
Phone: +49 561 804-3329
E-mail: n.rossbach[at]uni-kassel[dot]de