Romanticism: Roots and Repercussions

Romanticism, its roots and repercussions, is the subject of a series of lectures and dialogues being held at Heidelberg University in the summer term of 2010. It is being organised by Prof. Dr. Dieter Borchmeyer, German studies scholar at the university and President of the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts. The series, which begins on 14 April, will also feature concerts. It is part of the “Heidelberg Lectures on Cultural Theory” initiated by the Manfred Lautenschläger Foundation.

“’Romanticism’ and ‘the romantic’ are among the most ambiguous and misunderstood terms in existence. This is true not only in Germany but in Europe as a whole. The series is designed to shed light on these abstruse cultural concepts,” says Prof. Borchmeyer. The series will examine romanticism in all its facets and nuance as evidenced in literature, art and music. In addition, the origins, course and consequences of romanticism in various spheres of culture – both artistic and political – will be discussed and major literary works by the German romantics analysed.

Among the guests participating in “Romanticism: Roots and Repercussions” are romanticism experts Dr. Rüdiger Safranski, Carl Schmitt biographer Prof. Dr. Reinhard Mehring and German studies scholar Prof. Dr. Hermann Kurzke. The programme also includes concerts of works by Schumann, Brahms and Mahler performed by renowned soloists with follow-on discussion. One of these Gesprächskonzerte, featuring conductor Christian Thielemann and pianist and musicologist Prof. Dr. Siegfried Mauser, is part of the Heidelberger Frühling music festival. The first event in the series is a dialog with Prof. Dr. Jochen Hörisch (Mannheim University) on 14 April entitled “What Does ‘Romanticism’ Really Mean?” It will begin at 7 p.m. in lecture hall no. 14 of the New University.

Contact
Prof. Dr. Dieter Borchmeyer
Department of German Language and Literature
phone: +49 6221 543226
dieter.borchmeyer@gs.uni-heidelberg.de

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