University Representative Announces Politicization of Academic Year, Referred to as Kleist Year - Education Commissioner Advocates for Political Involvement in the Kleist Year
Celebrating Kleist's 250th Birthday with Contemporary Relevance
Frankfurt (Oder) is gearing up for a significant cultural event in 2027 – the Kleist Year, marking the 250th anniversary of the birth of renowned dramatist Heinrich von Kleist. This year-long celebration aims to go beyond traditional literary commemoration, using Kleist's works as a platform for contemporary political debates.
The city, which was Kleist's birthplace, will serve as the epicentre of these discussions, focusing on topics such as racism in language, nationalism, and gender issues. These themes are expected to be explored in the context of Kleist's works, aiming to connect his literary heritage with current societal challenges.
Felix Toppel, cultural scientist and the newly appointed Kleist commissioner at Europa-Universität Viadrina, will spearhead this initiative. Although Toppel's primary focus is Prussian history, he has extensively studied Kleist and is eager to delve deeper into his works for the Kleist Year.
Toppel plans to coordinate projects for the year, including an idea workshop with students and a special exhibition at the university. He also envisions an event on language in Kleist's work, which may be considered racist from today's perspective, as a means to foster critical discussions.
The Kleist Museum in Frankfurt (Oder), the only museum dedicated to Kleist in Germany, will open a new permanent exhibition for the anniversary. This will provide a physical space to explore the themes of the Kleist Year through Kleist's oeuvre.
Kleist's works, such as "The Broken Jug" and "Michael Kohlhaas," are frequently performed on German stages, testifying to their enduring relevance. As part of the nationwide Abitur curriculum from the 2025/2026 school year, Kleist's works will be studied by students, further emphasising their contemporary educational importance.
The Kleist Year 2027 in Frankfurt (Oder) is set to become a stage for explosive political debates, transcending traditional literary celebration and engaging audiences in thought-provoking discussions on pressing modern issues.
[1] Source: Europa-Universität Viadrina press release, June 2022.
In the Kleist Year of 2027, EC countries may engage in discussions about contemporary politics, especially regarding racism in language, nationalism, and gender issues, inspired by the works of Heinrich von Kleist, as part of its education-and-self-development in Frankfurt (Oder). Vocational training programs could also consider incorporating Kleist's works into their curriculum, given their general-news relevance and enduring impact on societal challenges.
