100th anniversary of the death of the world writer – Kafka Festival started in Cottbus
picture alliance/ Heritage Images/ Fine Art Images
Audio: Antenne Brandenburg | 14.03.2024 | Aline Anders-Lepsch | Bild: picture alliance/ Heritage Images/ Fine Art Images
June marks the 100th anniversary of Franz Kafka’s death. A Kafka festival is therefore taking place in various locations throughout Europe. The series of events began in Cottbus on Thursday.
He has had such an impact on German literature that his last name has become an adjective: Kafkaesque describes situations that seem unfathomably threatening.
June 3, 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of Franz Kafka’s death. The Kafka Festival is taking place in 23 different cities across Europe this year, including Berlin, Paris, Prague, Vienna – and also in Cottbus. The series of events in Lausitz officially starts on Thursday.
First warm up to the dark material
Kathrin Verzino makes no secret of her enthusiasm for the writer. The chairwoman of the support association for the “Gladhouse” youth culture center organized the series of events in Cottbus. Until July there will be a film screening, a book presentation, a concert and a coffee table on Kafka’s birthday.
If you want to learn something about Kafka, the best place to do it is this year, says Verzino. Many readers would first have to warm up to the material. “Kafka is mysterious, is dark,” said the association chairwoman. Kafka biographer Reiner Stach, for example, calls literature “unhomely,” explains Verzino. “It takes a while to gain access,” she says. Nevertheless, even 100 years after his death, the fascination for the author remains unbroken.
Kafka biographer visits Lausitz several times
Verzino’s highlight at the Cottbus events are the visits from biographer Reiner Stach. He will be in Cottbus several times this year. “With his knowledge of the world about Kafka and yet his unpretentious demeanor and love of giving an answer to even the stupidest question about Kafka,” says Kathrin Verzino.
The festival aims to address Kafka’s typical themes: identity, existential fear, and the absurdity of bureaucracy. The fact that these topics still seem relevant today has less to do with the topics themselves, says Verzino. Kafka also did not foresee the topics. “I think Kafka knew himself very well, was an excellent observer, saw the world and we humans haven’t changed that much. That’s why it seems so current to us,” said the association chairwoman.
Broadcast: Antenne Brandenburg, March 14, 2024, 2:12 p.m