›Blue Notes‹

Slovenian poet, prose writer, and publisher, Aleš Šteger, the curator of Poetica II, has invited renowned writers from around the world to Cologne for one week. These authors are ›literary amphibians‹, who know how to move between genres when they compose ›Blue Notes‹. They are authors who, in poetry and prose, in librettos and song lyrics, in essays and performances, give form to their grief and longing—grief for a world out of joint, longing to put it together again in art. The opening event in the Aula (auditorium) of the university will introduce all of the Poetica authors in conversation with the Curator and through readings of texts by which they can be recognized, both in the original language and German translation.

The evening will begin with a welcoming address from Axel Freimuth (Rector of the University of Cologne), Katharina Kloke (German Federal Ministry of Education and Research), and Barbara Foerster (Culture Office of the City of Cologne), the sponsors of Poetica. In addition, there will be ›Minima Poetica‹ from Günter Blamberger (Morphomata International Center for Advanced Studies) and Heinrich Detering (German Academy for Language and Literature). Following the event, Morphomata will host a reception to which all are welcome.