Rainer Maria Rilke

The University, State and Public Library of Fulda, in collaboration with the library's Friends' Association, invites you to a reading evening on Tuesday, 14 April at 6 p.m. in the reading room at the Heinrich-von-Bibra-Platz location.

Rilke's poems are familiar to many throughout their lives. They still have an impact today. The intensity of his prose endeavoured to fully capture the subject matter. Rilke managed to achieve this through craftsmanship, which encompassed every utterance, especially the letters. In a letter to a young poet, he calls his program: " To say, like a first person, what we see and experience and love.

He feared the proximity to journalism, for which he possessed all the gifts. He would have been able to make a living in journalism, which was taking off in his day. Rilke opted for a precarious yet luxurious existence, often becoming a protégé of the wealthy. As a visitor to Tolstoy he became a nuisance, as Rodin's secretary he was productive. He also spent time in Worpswede, married the sculptor Clare Westhoff and separated soon afterwards.

In addition to several poems, this evening will focus on Rilke's prose works such as the Stories of the Good Lord, the immortal Letters to a Young Poet and the Notes of Malte Laurids Brigge.

Free of charge registration via Eveeno is required.

Places are limited. For more information, visit service-h-hlsb(at)hs-fulda.de or call 0661/9640 9850.