Noted German writer Volker Braun will be present at Neumünster Abbey on 6 October 2015 at the invitation of the Institut Pierre Werner to read excerpts from his book 'Werktage: Arbeitsbuch 1990-2008', an in-depth examination of the political developments in Germany following reunification.
At times critical, at others spiritual, this work by the prestigious Georg Büchner award-winning writer retraces the events of this pivotal moment in history.
Volker Braun is the witness of an era, his literary prose invested in the political and economic wanderings in East Germany. Braun doubted the implementation of a 'truly existant socialism' in the GDR and called for reforms which could bring about authentic socialism.
'Werktage' is presented as a personal analysis in the years following German reunification, its author putting East German socialism on trial without extolling the alleged virtues of capitalism. Braun ffers a detailed anaylsis of East German society and its collapse, questioning not only the role of literature in the political struggle, but also his own responsibility as a writed in the reunified Germany of today.
Following the reading, Volker Braun will engage in discussion with Henning Marmulla, German scholar and historian at the University of Luxembourg.
The lecture will take place at 19:00 on Tuesday 6 October 2015 at the Salle J. Ensch at Abbaye de Neumünster. For information on entrance costs, visit www.ipw.lu.
