Education Commissioner advocates for Kleist Year to include political discourse
In the heart of Germany, the charming town of Frankfurt (Oder) is gearing up for a year of thought-provoking discussions and theatrical presentations. The focus of these anniversary celebrations is none other than the works of Heinrich von Kleist, the town's most famous son, who was born in 1777.
The Kleist Forum, the central institution organising these events, is eager to foster a connection between classical literature and present-day political discourse. The upcoming year promises to be a stage for explosive political debates, with topics such as racism in language, nationalism, and gender issues being potential subjects for discussion.
Felix Toppel, the Kleist anniversary coordinator at the Europa-Universität Viadrina, shares this vision. He believes that Kleist's works can indeed be used as a platform to discuss current and critical topics. Toppel, who is currently working on his doctoral thesis, has a large Kleist edition with all his writings at home and plans to read more.
One of the events planned by Toppel is an exploration of language in Kleist's work, which could be seen as racist from today's perspective. This event is expected to delve deep into Kleist's writings, shedding light on his portrayal of language and its impact on society in his time.
The city of Frankfurt (Oder) is home to the only Kleist museum in Germany, and a new permanent exhibition for the Kleist anniversary year is being planned. This exhibition, along with the various theatrical productions and discussions, will showcase Kleist's works in contemporary settings, highlighting their relevance to current political themes.
Kleist's works, such as "The Broken Jug" and "Michael Kohlhaas," are frequently performed on German stages. In July 2025, for example, the ensemble of the Wiener Burgtheater presented readings of Kleist’s works, reflecting an ongoing dialogue about Kleist’s influence and the relevance of his literature to current themes in politics and society in the region.
From the school year 2025/2026 onwards, Kleist will be part of the nationwide Abitur curriculum. By 2027, Toppel wishes for a special exhibition at the university as part of the Kleist anniversary year. The university, which appointed Toppel as Kleist coordinator in June, is actively involved in these preparations.
It is clear that the upcoming Kleist anniversary year in Frankfurt (Oder) will be a unique opportunity to engage with classic literature and contemporary political topics. The events promise to be both enlightening and thought-provoking, inviting audiences to reflect on the timeless themes presented in Kleist's works and their relevance today.
[1] Kleist Forum (2025). Retrieved from https://www.kleistforum.de/ [2] Deutsche Presse-Agentur (2025). Retrieved from https://www.dpa.de/
- The Kleist Forum, driven by the goal of bridging classical literature and current political discourse, is preparing a series of events in 2025 that will delve into education-and-self-development discussions, focusing on topics like racism in language, nationalism, and gender issues, drawing from the works of Heinrich von Kleist.
- Beyond the political sphere, the anniversary year will also see Kleist's influence in general-news, as his works become part of the Abitur curriculum starting from the school year 2025/2026, and a special exhibition at the Europa-Universität Viadrina planned for 2027.
