Leipzig Book Fair Prize (Preis der Leipziger Buchmesse)
1 appearances
-
Edition 10 (2014) Winner
Helmut Lethen
ヘルムート・レーテン
Helmut Lethen
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1939-01-14 （Mönchengladbach (Gau Düsseldorf), German Reich (Germany)）
- Nationality
- German
- Languages
- German
- Residence History
- Bonn (studies) → Amsterdam (studies) → Berlin (studies/assistant) → Utrecht (professorship) → Rostock (professorship) → Vienna (research centre director) → Linz (professorship)
Career
- Occupations
- Professor, Germanist, Cultural scholar, Author
- Active Years
- 1960-
- Affiliations
- Utrecht University, University of Rostock, International Research Centre for Cultural Studies (Vienna), University of Art and Design Linz (professorship)
- Memberships
- Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands (Aufbauorganisation) (KPD-AO)
- Influenced By
- Gottfried Benn, Writers and thinkers around Neue Sachlichkeit (New Objectivity)
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Bonn | — | — | — | 1959–1960（在学期間の一部） | Germany |
| University of Amsterdam | — | — | — | 1960年代（在学） | Netherlands |
| Free University of Berlin | — | German literature | 博士（文学） | 1960年代–1970年（博士取得） | Germany |
University of Bonn
Period:
1959–1960（在学期間の一部）
Country:
Germany
Attended undergraduate studies
University of Amsterdam
Period:
1960年代（在学）
Country:
Netherlands
Studied abroad
Free University of Berlin
German literature
Degree:
博士（文学）
Period:
1960年代–1970年（博士取得）
Year of Graduation:
1970
Country:
Germany
Received doctorate with dissertation on Neue Sachlichkeit (1924–1932)
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Leipzig Book Fair Prize (non-fiction/essay) | Der Schatten des Fotografen (The Shadow of the Photographer) | ノンフィクション／エッセイ | Leipzig Book Fair organization | 受賞 |
Leipzig Book Fair Prize (non-fiction/essay)
2014
Work:
Der Schatten des Fotografen (The Shadow of the Photographer)
Category:
ノンフィクション／エッセイ
Organization:
Leipzig Book Fair organization
Result:
受賞
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Neue Sachlichkeit. 1924–1932. Studies in the Literature of 'White Socialism'
1970 Scholarly researchBased on his doctoral dissertation, this study analyzes literature of the Neue Sachlichkeit (1924–1932) and its social context.
Neue Sachlichkeitliterature and societycultural history
Verhaltenslehren der Kälte (Cool Conduct. The Culture of Distance in Weimar Germany)
1994 Cultural history / essay 320 pagesAn essayistic cultural-historical study on distance and 'cool' conduct in Weimar Germany; translated into English and widely read.
modernitydistanceWeimar culture
Translations
- English translation: Cool Conduct. The Culture of Distance in Weimar Germany
Der Sound der Väter
2006 Cultural essay / historyReflections on Gottfried Benn and his era, exploring generational and cultural relationships.
Gottfried Benngenerational theorycultural memory
Der Schatten des Fotografen (The Shadow of the Photographer)
2014 Non-fiction / essayAn inquiry into the reality and effects of photographs and images. Winner of the 2014 Leipzig Book Fair Prize (non-fiction/essay).
theory of photographyimage and realityvisual culture
Denn für dieses Leben ist der Mensch nicht schlau genug (Autobiography)
2020 AutobiographyAutobiographical account of his life, thoughts, academic work, and private life.
autobiographyacademic lifeprivate life
Bibliography
- Neue Sachlichkeit. 1924–1932. Studies in the Literature of 'White Socialism' (1970)
- Verhaltenslehren der Kälte. Lebensversuche zwischen den Kriegen (1994)
- Der Sound der Väter. Gottfried Benn und his Time (2006)
- Unheimliche Nachbarschaften (2009)
- Suche nach dem Handorakel (2012)
- Der Schatten des Fotografen (2014)
- Die Staatsräte (2018)
- Denn für dieses Leben ist der Mensch nicht schlau genug (2020)
- Der Sommer des Großinquisitors (2022)
- Stoische Gangarten (2025)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- scholarly and essayistic stylecool, analytical tonefocus on historical and cultural context
- Recurring Motifs
- coldness/distanceanalysis of modernityphotography and image theorygeneration and memorypower and elites
Legacy
Helmut Lethen is an influential scholar in German cultural studies and Germanistics, known for work on Weimar culture and theories of photography. His interdisciplinary research and essayistic writings reach audiences beyond academia.
Academic Societies
- German literature study associations
- scholarly societies in cultural studies
Archives
- German National Library (materials related to Helmut Lethen)
Quotes
-
Denn für dieses Leben ist der Mensch nicht schlau genug (For this life, man is not clever enough)
Source: Autobiography: Denn für dieses Leben ist der Mensch nicht schlau genug (2020)
Trivia
- After finishing secondary school in 1959 he volunteered for the Bundeswehr and became a reserve lieutenant.
- He was a member of the Maoist KPD-AO until 1975.
- He won the 2014 Leipzig Book Fair Prize for non-fiction/essay for Der Schatten des Fotografen.
- In private life he has experienced multiple marriages and separations and is currently married to Caroline Sommerfeld.
- Reported to have five children.