Ingeborg Bachmann: The sloping path to the literary icon in Munich

Ingeborg Bachmann: The sloping path to the literary icon in Munich

In a remarkable exhibition in the Literaturhaus Munich, the life and work of Ingeborg Bachmann is recognized, which was considered an aspiring star of the literary scene in 1954 and only died in Rome for nineteen years later. With her iconic appearance on the cover of the "Spiegel" in the same year, she set a signal at a time when only a few women were possible to be perceived in intellectual media.

The exhibition offers a wealth of materials, including personal letters to prominent personalities such as Max Frisch, Paul Celan and many others. These writings are more than just simple documents; They tell of the dramas and crises that shaped Bachmann's life. Under the title «I'm not. I am »get visitors an insight into their inner life and the inspiring, but often painful relationships that they had to men and places.

insights into her moving life

Bachmann's path was characterized by intensive and complicated love affairs, which were both sources of inspiration and grief. She met Paul Celan in Vienna and began a passionate relationship, but burdened by conflicts. The tensions of this connection, considering their respective family background, ultimately led to a separation that remained deeply anchored in their work.

The artist was not only familiar with Celan, but also with other important personalities of literary life. In the 1950s she gave lectures in Harvard, where she also met Henry Kissinger and had a fleeting affair. Her relationship with Max Frisch, who accompanied her from 1958 to 1962, was one of the most outstanding phases of her life. Here she wrote OperaLibretti and experienced a creative high phase while at the same time suffering from the pressure of her personal challenges.

Bachmann lived in Italy for many years, where she discovered the beauties of the landscape and culture. This phase was shaped by its artistic creativity and a deep desire for freedom. In her later years, however, she also experienced hard times when pressure and isolation plunged into a deep crisis that was characterized by health problems and addictive behavior.

As in Nicole Seifert's book "Some gentlemen said something" was documented, the treatment of women was often condescending in the time. Bachmann strategically dealt with her situation. She created a mysterious aura around herself and used her femininity to be heard in a world dominated by men.

a life full of contradictions

The tragedy of their life is not only shown in their relationships, but also in their literature. Their famous statement, "I only exist when I write", reveals the dependence on her creative work. Their creative crises were further reinforced by the external circumstances, such as the pressure of the literary market and personal disappointments.

September 30, 1973 was a turning point; She died of the consequences of a fire accident in Rome. This was not only the end of a life, but also the end of an artistic chapter that shaped German -language literature. The exhibition in the Munich Literature House, which is open until November 24th, honors her heir and offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in the complex world of one of the most important writers in post -war literature.

For more information about the exhibition and Ingeborg Bachmann's life, interested parties can Read here .