”Soll man es wagen?”

About the Event

Professor Dr. Hans-Jochen Schiewer, Ordinarius for Germanic Philology and President of Universität Freiburg, Germany (2008-2020), will be visiting NYC and reading from his recently published book “Soll man es wagen?” (Schwabe Verlag, 2022), in which he provides a critical commentary.

Agnes Therese Brumof addresses Rilke with the words: "We are staying in different hotels, but ? […]”

The reading presents the newly discovered correspondence between Rainer Maria Rilke and the costume designer, book illustrator and lyricist Agnes Therese Brumof (1893-1987), an artistically and literarily gifted, emancipated young woman from Jewish scholarly family on her way through the turmoil of the post-war period and the Weimar Republic. The informal tone of the correspondence sets it apart from many of Rilke's other correspondences and invites a journey of discovery.

The readings in German will be followed by a discussion in English and German. It promises to be an insight into the personalities of two brilliant, vibrant people, their intimate correspondence and the cultural times in which they lived.

Come join us at the Leo Baeck Institute (15 West 16th Street) on Friday, April 14th at 1:00 PM.

Professor Dr. Hans-Jochen Schiewer