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Being Kafka

Illustration zu "Being Kafka" © Goethe-Institut, Illustration: Roberto Maján

Why does Franz Kafka’s spell remain unbroken a hundred years after his death? Is it his exquisite letters, our affection for dramatic tales, or the sense that our contemporary world has never been more Kafkaesque? The centenary of Franz Kafka's death presents a chance to delve into innovative approaches to understanding the author and his captivating oeuvre.

Kafka at the age of 34 in July 1917 © Wagenbach Verlag (Art work: Tobias Schrank)

Reiner Stach
 Franz Kafka in the 21st century

Why do we continue to find Franz Kafka so compelling 100 years after his death? Why is Kafka still considered to be so modern and contemporary? What awaits us in Kafka’s anniversary year of 2024? Reiner Stach, Kafka’s most important biographer, provides us with some answers.

Kafka in Art and Literature

Kafka in the Aquarium (2003) (Acrylic on canvas 36 x 48 inches) © Dilip Ranade

Kafkaesque worlds
 Kafka in the Indian art and literature

The influences of Franz Kafka extend beyond literature and find resonance worldwide in visual arts, film and architecture. Let’s have a look at the Indian art scene.
Scene from “The Trial” by Franz Kafka Illustration by Roberto Maján

Roberto Maján
 Kafka as a picture book

Franz Kafka came up with such beautiful language in all his novels and short stories that readers instantly form the most magnificent images in their minds while enjoying the books. Roberto Maján has captured these pictures on paper for you. 
Kafka word cloud German Kitty Kahane Illustration: Kitty Kahane

Kitty Kahane
 Word Clouds

When someone mentions Franz Kafka, it inevitably triggers associations. Illustrator Kitty Kahane has taken these word for word and created pictures from them. – We invite you on a tour of the Kafka cosmos!
Common cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha) © mauritius images / Christian Hütter

Kafka in India
 How to translate “Ungeziefer”?

Rosy Singh is professor of German literature in India. In this interview, Rosy tells us about the challenges of translating Kafka’s work, about his reception in India and about her passion for texts that are just 15 lines long.
 
Nicolas Mahler: “Komplett Kafka” (Completely Kafka) © Nicolas Mahler, Suhrkamp Verlag

Nicolas Mahler
 Draw Kafka for me

Nicolas Mahler is a comic illustrator whose book “Komplett Kafka” (Completely Kafka) is published in Kafka’s centenary year, and it will tour as an exhibition. Ulrich Fügener spoke with Nicolas Mahler – about comics, Kafka, humour and melancholy.
Moritz von Wolzogen: The Aeroplanes at Brescia © Moritz von Wolzogen, published by Nathalia Laue

Comics and graphic novels
 Kafka in the realm of comics

Franz Kafka was himself a good illustrator and would surely have enjoyed these comics and graphic novels that were created by comic book artists from different parts of the world and all have one thing in common: the subject of Kafka.
 

Kafka's Legacy

Kafka and the Absurdities of Modern Life © Isi Parente / Unsplash

Kafka's style
 Kafka in the everyday language

Individual authors can characterise a style concept. But what exactly does it mean to have a style, and why has the name Kafka entered the vernacular like no other? A look at art and philosophy. 
Franz Kafka about 34 years old. July 1917 © Archiv Klaus Wagenbach

Tomáš Moravec
 Whom does Franz Kafka belong to?

The question of whom Franz Kafka belongs to occupies many minds more persistently than is perhaps necessary.
Kafka’s Final Days © Sonia Dauer / Unsplash

In the Sanatorium
 Kafka’s Final Days

Franz Kafka was only 40 years old in the spring of 1924 when he was admitted to a private clinic in Kierling, just outside of Vienna. The building has not changed, except for its relationship to world literature.
House at the Tower, Franz Kafka Square 3 Photo: Petr Machan; © Goethe-Institut Czech Republic

Photo Reportage
 Franz Kafka’s Prague

Exploring Prague in Kafka’s footsteps: where did Franz Kafka live and work, where did he spend his leisure time? A photo tour.

One of the first signs of the beginning of understanding is the wish to die.

Franz Kafka

Kafka in Media and Popular Culture

Marie-Pierre Poulin Goethe-Institut Montréal

Marie-Pierre Poulin
 Booktube with Kafka

In her booktube video series Marie-Pierre Poulin, librarian at the Goethe-Institut Montréal, presents the timeless classics “The Metamorphosis” and “The Trial” by Franz Kafka. Enjoy!
 
Scene from “Letter to my Father” posed with Playmobil figures © Michael Sommer and Reclam Verlag

Playmobil
 Kafka on Youtube

Classics don’t have to be boring, thought Michael Sommer to himself, and started the Youtube channel “Sommer’s World Literature to go”. He presents a weekly work of world literature on his channel, posed with his Playmobil cast – including the works of Franz Kafka.
A sensation at the beginning of the 20th century: a visit to the cinema © Noom Peerapong / Unsplash

Early pop culture
 Kafka, the Cinephile

At the beginning of the 20th century, cinema was new and sensational – Franz Kafka was fascinated by it. There are numerous mentions of what Kafka had seen at the movies.
Why is everyone so obsessed with Franz Kafka? © Danny Howe / Unsplash

Kafka and TikTok
 Why is everyone so obsessed with Franz Kafka?

The Czech writer died nearly a century ago, but is enjoying a renaissance on TikTok and X.

READ KAFKA ONLINE

Beyond being a prolific author, Franz Kafka's literary legacy has been a wellspring of inspiration for various academic and lyrical creations. We have put together a list of 80 works related to Kafka – both in German and English – which are available for free through the Goethe-Institut’s eLibrary.

Kafka's Humor & Everyday Life

Model at the Roubíčková fashion salon in Prague © Museum of Decorative Arts Prague

Amelie Kahl
 Franz had style

What do Kafka and fashion have in common? A feeling of always arriving too late. We chase after fashion and can escape it only to a limited degree. In a way, we are at its mercy. Because no matter how we dress or don’t dress, our outward appearance always says something about us.
Kafka on the beach with a stranger, September 1913 on the Lido in Venice

Kafka and sport
 The great swimmer

Most people know Franz Kafka as a brilliant author. However, what many Kafka buffs don’t know: Kafka was a thoroughly physical person, Kafka was not just sporty, he was an all-out sports enthusiast.
Was Kafka a drama queen? © Jared Subia / Unsplash

Exaggerations
 Was Kafka a drama queen?

Be it his weight, health, father complex or doubting his own literary talent: Kafka had numerous “issues”. Could he be described as a “drama queen” in today’s vocabulary?
Drawings of Kafka's novel figures Illustration: © Beatrice Davies

Psychological test: Kafka
 Which Kafka character are you?

Franz Kafka’s works are still relevant today, they are universal, full of grotesque and fascinating characters. Which of Kafka’s literary characters are you? Answer the questions in our psychological test to find out!
Staircase in the house at Zeltnergasse 3, Prague © Verlag Klaus Wagenbach

Kafka’s humour
 The big laugher

Kafka is a writer of dark, nightmarish tales? – Perhaps, yes. But this is too superficial a view. Let us embark on a quest for the comical in Kafka.
Franz Kafka, generated with the Ideogram AI tool © Víctor Millán/Ideogram.ai

Sexuality
 In Bed with Kafka

Franz Kafka’s complicated relationship with his sexuality has been a topic of constant speculation and analysis. We have reviewed his letters and experts’ opinions to try to clarify things.
Geniuses with unusual professions Collage: Tobi Schrank © Goethe-Institut

At Work with Kafka
 Ten Geniuses with Unusual Professions

Not only was Franz Kafka a writer. He also had to work at an office to make ends meet. And he wasn’t the only one. Here are ten examples of creative minds with monotonous, absurd jobs.
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