Literature evening in Bamberg: John von Düffel across water and family

Literature evening in Bamberg: John von Düffel across water and family

An der Universität 2, 96047 Bamberg, Deutschland - On June 3, 2025, a special event will take place at the University of Bamberg: a reading and a conversation with the renowned author John von Düffel. The event begins at 6.15 p.m. in the lecture hall U2/01.33, at University 2, 96047 Bamberg. John von Düffel, the future director of the Bamberg ETA Hoffmann Theater, will present his first novel “Von Wasser”, which was published in 1998 and received multiple awards.

The novel tells the story of a paper manufacturer dynasty in the 20th century and addresses the area of ​​tension between the company and family. In the subsequent conversation between Düffel and Prof. Dr. Friedhelm Marx deepened. The thematic reference to Thomas Mann's "Buddenbrooks" and the decay of a family that was already treated in 1901 is particularly illuminated.

a look at "from the water"

"from the water" is a family saga that impresses with its old -fashioned narrative form without dialogue. The scene is good, where a paper mill is located on the Orpe and Diemel rivers. These rivers symbolize different principles; While the diemel is harmonious, the Orpe represents the wild. Central motifs of the novel are the attraction and the ambivalent relationship with the water, which is also in the context of German history, but is not the main topic.

Special characters, such as the impressive grandmother of the narrator, and the narrative style, which is characterized by numerous alliterations and adjectives, make the novel unique. John von Düffel emphasizes that he not only wants to limit himself to the topic of water, but also has other projects in planning, including a possible novel about the element.

invitation to the event

The free event is part of the program of the lecture "The company. Work, economy, entrepreneurship in literature" and is aimed at everyone interested who are enthusiastic about contemporary literature. After the reading, the participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and to discuss the topics of the novel as well as the integration of family and company in the literature.

Further information on the event is available online at www.uni-bamberg.de/germ-lit1 . Prof. Dr. Friedhelm Marx on 0951/863-2119 or by email to Friedhelm.marx (at) uni-bamberg.de and Nora Stecklum from the press office on 0951/863-1182.