The Routes of Poetry: Goethe’s West-östlicher Divan

This international workshop brings together scholars and graduate students for a sustained examination of Goethe’s monumental poetry collection, the West-östlicher Divan (1819/1827). Now in its sixth iteration, the workshop consists of concentrated seminars devoted to Goethe’s creative engagement with the Persian poet Hafez. Participants will take part in five focused sessions led by the core faculty of this long-standing collaboration. This year’s program also features a conversation between Dagmara Kraus and Uljana Wolf, who will reflect on their own poetic encounters with Goethe’s landmark work. Over two days, this workshop explores the legacy and ongoing vitality of the Divan. This event is not open to the public.

Faculty Conveners:

Daniel Carranza (Harvard University)

David E. Wellbery (University of Chicago)

Dorothea von Mücke (Columbia University)

Frauke Berndt (Universität Zürich)

Joel Lande (Princeton University)

Presentation Schedule:

Friday, February 27

9:30-11:00am Joel Lande

“The Many Voices of Goethe’s Divan”

11:00-11:30am Coffee Break

11:30-1:00pm Dorothea von Mücke

“Goethe’s Orientalisms”

1:00-2:30pm Lunch

2:30-4:00pm Daniel Carranza

“Eros and the Demonic in the Book of Timur”

6:00pm Reception

Saturday, February 28:

9:00-10:30am Frauke Berndt

“Goethe’s Suleika– Marianne von Willemer’s Silenced Voice”

10:30-11:00am Coffee Break

11:00-12:30pm David E. Wellbery

“Poetics of the Divine: On the Mystical-Metaphysical Dimension of the Divan”

12:30-1:30pm Lunch

1:30-3:00pm Dagmara Kraus and Uljana Wolf

“A Poetic Dialogue on Goethe’s Divan”