KAFKAESQUE SOUTH BOHEMIA
We warmly invite you to Kafkaesque South Bohemia: International Literary Symposium!
KAFKAESQUE SOUTH BOHEMIA
📅 12th October 2024
📌 Kende Villa, České Budějovice (Otakarova 9)
The International Literary Symposium "Kafkaesque South Bohemia" is dedicated to the German-speaking Prague authors surrounding Franz Kafka and the still little-known influence of their lives and works on South Bohemia. On the occasion of this year's 100th Kafka anniversary, both domestic and international experts will present lectures highlighting the significance of South Bohemia for the lives and works of these authors. All contributions will be simultaneously interpreted (Czech-German).
PROGRAM
📖 12:30 Tour of Kende Villa and the exhibition "No Night So Dark"
📖 13:30 Opening, greetings, presentation of the Trojmezí Center project
📖 13:45 Ivo Kareš: German-speaking Prague Authors in South Bohemia
📖 14:30 Alena Wagnerová: Hermann Kafka of Osek and His Family
📖 15:15 Thomas Samhaber: Encounters at the Border - Franz Kafka and Milena Jesenská in Gmünd
📖 16:00 Coffee break
📖 16:30 Daniel Musílek: "But even in Planá, there are living people and animals, and thus there is noise here too, which awakens from sleep." The Influence of Planá nad Lužnicí on the Life and Works of Franz Kafka
📖 17:15 Vera Schneider: Johannes Urzidil’s Life Journey Between Prague, Zvonková, and New York
📖 18:15 Miloš Minařík: The Last Guest in a Village in Šumava: Fragments from Johannes Urzidil’s Diary
📖 19:00 Final discussion, closing remarks
URZIDIL’S ŠUMAVA
📅 5th October 2024
📌 Zvonková
International literary meeting with a cultural program at the former residence of Johannes Urzidil, one of the most significant authors in the Kafkaesque circle. Through tours, readings, and photo presentations, we will explore the importance of the Šumava region for Johannes Urzidil, as well as the history of the vanished border settlements of Zvonková and Josefodol. Buses will be arranged from České Budějovice/Český Krumlov and Horní Planá. Light refreshments will be provided.
PROGRAM
📖 09:00 Departure by bus from České Budějovice (Exhibition Grounds)
📖 09:30 Departure by bus from Český Krumlov (Špičák)
📖 10:15 Departure by bus from Horní Planá (Birthplace of Adalbert Stifter)
📖 11:00 Tours of the church and Urzidil Museum in Zvonková with witnesses Emma Marxová and Horst Wondraschke
📖 12:00 Presentation of photos from the Seidel Photography Museum Český Krumlov, the Birthplace of Adalbert Stifter, and the Heimatstube der vertriebenen Glöckelberger in Ulrichsberg, with readings from J. Urzidil’s stories
📖 13:30 Bilingual guided walk to Josefodol with Miloš Minařík (Johannes Urzidil Society)
📖 15:00 International picnic
📖 17:00 Departure to Horní Planá/Český Krumlov/České Budějovice (arrival in České Budějovice around 18:30)
HERMANN KAFKA FROM OSEK
📅 13th October 2024
📌 Osek near Strakonice
A tour tracing the roots of one of the world’s most significant literary figures to Osek near Strakonice, led by writer Alena Wagnerová. The approximately six-kilometer expert-guided walking tour will take participants to locations connected with Franz Kafka’s heritage. During the excursion, you will have the chance to see his father Hermann Kafka’s former birthplace in Osek, visit the otherwise inaccessible Osek Castle—allegedly the inspiration for a famous novel—and explore the Jewish cemetery on the hill where Kafka’s ancestors are buried. The tour will be simultaneously interpreted (Czech-German).
