Ist der ‘Zauberberg’ zu retten? – Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht speaks at ETH Zürich
The registry is open for the eighth Thomas Mann Lecture: Join us in celebrating the 100th anniversary of Thomas Mann’s ‘Der Zauberberg’ with a keynote speech by Professor Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht.
Eighth Thomas Mann Lecture: Ist der “Zauberberg” zu retten?
Prof. Dr Dr h.c. mult. Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht, Stanford (USA), Hebrew University Jerusalem (Israel), University of Bonn (Germany)
Tuesday, 3 December 2024, 18.00–19.00
ETH Zurich, ETH main building, Rämistrasse 101, 8092 Zurich
Audi Max, HG F 30
Thomas Mann’s ‘Der Zauberberg’ (‘The Magic Mountain’) is considered an unalterable classic of world literature. But what is the significance of this novel today, 100 years after its publication?
Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht is one of the outstanding literary scholars of our time. In his lecture, he discusses the tension between the proclaimed timelessness of aesthetic works and their historical localisation. While the novel itself represents a specific world of the pre-war period in the early 20th century, today it is received as a timeless masterpiece. Gumbrecht’s analysis sheds light on how historical understanding affects the reading of aesthetic works and what role literature plays in the mediation of history.
This event is an Invitation to reflect on the role of literature between the aesthetic and the historical: A highlight for anyone interested in literature and intellectual debate.
Prof. Dr Dr h.c. mult. Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht is Albert Guérard Professor in Literature, Emeritus at Stanford University (USA) and Distinguished Professor of Romance Literatures at the Hebrew University Jerusalem (Israel). He is also Distinguished Emeritus Professor at the University of Bonn (Germany).
One of the leading German-American literary scholars of our time, Gumbrecht deals with a spectrum of topics ranging from the history of Spanish literature to current issues of our ‘fragile present’. Gumbrecht has published numerous influential books, including ‘Produktion von Präsenz’ (2004) and ‘Unsere breite Gegenwart’ (2010). His work contributes to literary theory and cultural studies and combines historical, philosophical and aesthetic perspectives.
Gumbrecht completed his doctorate at the University of Konstanz and has taught at renowned universities worldwide. For his academic achievements he has been honoured with numerous awards. His research and teaching not only enrich the academic world, but also stimulate public debate on literature, history and contemporary culture.
The Thomas Mann Lectures at ETH Zurich
The Thomas Mann Lectures see internationally renowned literary scholars invited to lecture at ETH Zurich every year. The series of lectures is organised by the Thomas Mann Archive in collaboration with the Professorship of Literary and Cultural Studies at ETH Zurich. The lectures address fundamental and topical issues inherent in Thomas Mann’s oeuvre and are aimed both at the interested general public as well as an academic audience.