Tech fictions from Gotha: Ronny Lehmann talks about Kurd Laßwitz!

Tech fictions from Gotha: Ronny Lehmann talks about Kurd Laßwitz!

All literature and science fiction fans can look forward to an exciting lecture in the near future. On Friday, September 26, 2025, the Gotha City Library will say: “Shot into Space – Technical Fictions from Gotha”. Ronny Lehmann, a proven expert on the life and work of Kurd Laßwitz, will offer a deep insight into the world of the self-taught writer. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. in the Hanns Cibulka Hall, and the free tickets are already available in the library, as Gotha Aktuell reports.

Kurd Laßwitz, born on April 20, 1848 in Breslau, is considered one of the founders of German-language science fiction and was a visionary writer who predicted technical developments of his time in the Wilhelmine Empire. Under the pseudonym L. Velatus he published numerous works that made him one of the most influential figures in utopian literature in Germany. His most important novel “On Two Planets” from 1897, which has been translated into several languages, shows his fascinating imagination and his humanistic worldview.

Laßwitz’s legacy and his time

Watch out! The lecture will not only shed light on exciting aspects of Laßwitz's novels, but also his socially critical texts, which were forgotten when the National Socialists consolidated their dictatorship. These texts reflect Laßwitz's pacifist beliefs, which were contrary to the ideals of the National Socialists, as the Wikipedia article highlights.

Kurd Laßwitz was more than just a writer. After successfully studying mathematics and physics in Breslau and Berlin, he received his doctorate “magna cum laude” in 1873. He initially worked as a high school teacher in Gotha and was actively involved in the Wednesday Society to promote public education. His correspondence with other important figures such as Ludwig Anzengruber and Martin Buber testifies to his intellectual influence. Unfortunately, he was forced into retirement after a stroke in 1908 and died in Gotha in 1910.

Awards and legacy

Laßwitz's works influenced numerous writers, including those of expressionism. Even after his death, his legacy remained alive. The Kurd Laßwitz Prize, which has been awarded for outstanding German-language science fiction since 1980, as well as the Kurd Laßwitz Scholarship for children's and youth literature, which was established in 2007, show how much his influence is still valued. An asteroid bears the name Laßwitz, which underlines its importance in literary history.

Whether you're a science fiction lover or just curious, anyone interested shouldn't miss the lecture on September 26th. This event offers an excellent opportunity to learn more about one of the fathers of modern science fiction and to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Kurd Laßwitz.