2005 – The Year Of Schiller in Baden-Württemberg

Productions, exhibitions, readings and events
in Marbach, Lorch, Ludwigsburg, Stuttgart und Mannheim

Friedrich Schiller, one of the greatest German classical writers, is said to have spoken a strong Swabian dialect during the course of his life. In 1759 he was born in Marbach am Neckar, and today the National Schiller Museum and the German Literary Archives - housing a valuable collection of ancient scripts - are also to be found next to Schiller's birthplace in Marbach. Other places that the young Schiller would visit include the tranquil town of Lorch, situated east of Stuttgart, and the neighbouring regional towns of Ludwigsburg and Stuttgart. As a result of parental pressure and the severity of his doctor’s training at the Military Academy, Schiller seeks refuge in literature and begins to write poetry. The debut performance of his enjoyably wild early work „The Bandits“ in 1782 at the Mannheim National Theatre in the once "foreign" region of Baden sees Schiller become famous very early on. After working in Mannheim for one year as a theatrical poet, Schiller then leaves his home in 1785 to settle in Jena and Weimar.

Schiller spent his teen years in the Swabian land that shaped his work as a peace poet, and nurtured his genius. Baden-Württemberg still remains an important place of cultural interest, hence the reason behind its commemoration of the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Schiller’s death in 2005, with the “Year of Schiller 2005”. The Schiller towns Marbach, Lorch, Ludwigsburg, Stuttgart and Mannheim, in particular, are marked by a presence that allows for a real experience and examination of the life and works of Baden- Württemberg's great son.

The collaboration of the Schiller towns of Baden-Württemberg and their "Year of Schiller" programme is making it possible for visitors to enjoy a journey to the places where the great poet spent his youth. A large number of activities, productions, exhibitions and events give a glimpse of Schiller’s life and work, and at the same time, offer the best opportunity to follow the poet's life in the actual haunts of his youth.

In association with: Consulting firm mBH (comparable to “llc”) Karlsruhe