Paul Celan (1920-1970): A Conversation between Dr. Thomas Sparr and Amir Eshel

Speakers): Dr. Thomas Sparr, Amir Eshel

A conversation between Dr. Thomas Sparr, editor-at-large, Suhrkamp Verlag, Berlin

&

Amir Eshel, Edward Clark Crossett Professor of Humanistic Studies, Stanford

Paul Celan (1920-1970) is probably the most important poet in the German language in the 20th century. In 2020 the anniversary of his 100th birthday will be celebrated worldwide. Hardly any other author presents – in the exact meaning of the word - the history of the last century, especially the experience of genocide and of the Holocaust. The outstanding significance of his work, his long journey through Europe, and the great effect of his poems present any biographer with great difficulties when attempting to write the story of his life and work. The conversation will follow a presentation by Dr. Sparr with visual documents from Celan’s life, and will consider the difficulties in writing a Celan biography. It will also suggest a model for addressing Celan’s life – focusing on his most famous poem, “Death Fugue”.

A light lunch and refreshments will be served

Sponsors: The Division of Literatures, Cultures, and Languages, the Department of German Studies, The Research Group on "The Contemporary," The Europe Center at The Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford, The Taube Center for Jewish Studies at Stanford University