German literature 2008

Literature Seminar: Friedrich Hölderlin (1770-1843)

Among many other things, Germany is known as the land of “poets and thinkers.” Whenever the word “poet” comes into a conversation regarding Germany, the first thoughts tend to be of Friedrich Hölderlin. On Thursday, 24 January, Uta Link took us on a journey through his life and his works.
The significance of Hölderlin’s contribution to German Literature is still evident in Tübingen today with Hölderlin Street, The Hölderlin Room and restaurant dishes, among other things, named after him. It is however ironic that a poet of the 70’s was only recognized as Germany’s greatest poet after Goethe in the 20th century.
Hölderlin’s work is a variation of both classicism and romanticism, with religion and nature being strong metaphors symbolic of his outlook on life. These elements were specifically found in the poem “Hälfte des Lebens” introduced to the South African group during the seminar. Hölderlin’s fine distinction between Summer and Winter in this poem, won the favour of the students who have been constantly comparing the Winter of Germany to that of their own country, which resulted into a search for a bookshop in Tübingen that sells Hölderlin’s verses in English.
Our seminar also had a practical side to it when we visited the Hölderlinturm in Tübingen at the Neckar River where Hölderlin spent 36 years of his life. The honour of setting foot in the exact same tower room where this great poet lived, loved and produced was an astounding experience. And motivation enough for the students studying Literature to return to Europe for studies on German Literature.

by Alvené Appollis

 

Last Update (30/01/08)