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Dear Colleagues, The Centre for Anglo-German Cultural Relations (CAGCR) at Queen Mary, University of London, hereby announces the following guest lecture and reading, organsed by John Goodyear (PhD Cand, QMUL) ALL WELCOME! Theodor Lessing: Leben im Lärm / Life in Noise with readings from the works of Keun, Kästner and Tucholsky Guest lecture and reading by Professor Peter Gorny (University of Oldenburg, Grandson of Theodor Lessing) John Goodyear (Queen Mary, University of London) Marie Dettmer (Literary Composer) Monday 24th October 2011, 17:00-19:00 Queen Mary, University of London Mile End Campus, Lockkeeper’s Cottage, Steiner Room N.B. This lecture will be in both German and English! Please find an abstract, the biography of the speakers, and directions further below. Thank you. Best regards, Dr Falco Pfalzgraf Acting Deputy Director Centre for Anglo-German Cultural Relations Queen Mary, University of London Email: [log in to unmask] http://www.sllf.qmul.ac.uk/staff/pfalzgraf.html -------------------------- Abstract: Theodor Lessing (1872-1933) Leben im Lärm / Life in Noise As a teacher, translator, author, essayist, theatre critic, poet, publisher, philosopher, social and political activist as well as an early advocator of both women’s rights and animal rights, Theodor Lessing’s life work offers crucial and critical snapshots of the Kaiserreich, the First World War, the Weimar Republic and the early days of the Nazi era. Theodor Lessing was not only an eyewitness to these historical eras, but his body of works demonstrates that he was also a perceptive and highly critical earwitness, interpreting the soundscapes and sonic developments of the time. Alarmed by the debilitating effects of the increasingly noisy environment in Germany, Lessing set out on a mission to curb noise. He published a Kampfschrift entitled Der Lärm in 1908 and established, in the same year, the first German nationwide Antilärmverein in Hanover. His anti-noise project was, in part, informed by the quintessential quiet of the English gentleman, the anti-noise measures of English academic figures of the time and an anti-noise society that existed in the British capital from the start of the 1900s. In 1909, Theodor Lessing attended the first international noise conference in London. Here, in places like Whitechapel and the Docks of the East End, he came to hear for himself the quiet that he so often associated with the English. This event, hosted by the Centre for Anglo-German Cultural Relations, takes a look at Theodor Lessing’s life, homes in on his anti-noise activities and his time in London, and concludes with readings from German literature on the theme of noise. Biography of Speakers: Peter Gorny (Oldenburg) is the grandson of Theodor Lessing He studied Civil Engineering at Hanover Technical University and specialised in IT in Engineering. In 1974, he was appointed Professor for Applied Computer Science at the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, particularly in Software Ergonomics and Human Computer Interaction. He was Dean of the Informatics Department and Vice President of the University of Oldenburg. Besides his academic interests, he administers the Theodor and Ada Lessing family archive. Marie Dettmer (Hanover) is a literary composer Playing an active role in the cultural life of the city, she regularly gives literary readings in fitting locations right across Hanover. From the Herrenhausen gardens to the Küchengartenpavillon in Hanover, from the Lower Saxony State Museum to the City Library, she has delighted audiences with her readings of German authors’ works, including Wilhelm Busch, Erich Kästner, Irmgard Keun, Eugen Roth, Kurt Tucholsky and Theodor Lessing. Just as wide ranging as the authors are the themes on which Marie speaks: seasons, nature and gardens, life and death, even football, planets, fossils, wine and noise! John Goodyear (Oldenburg) is a soundscapes specialist and former QM student John studied German at Aston University and Queen Mary, University of London. His PhD focused on German-speaking cities as soundscapes in the twentieth century. During the course of his doctoral studies, John undertook significant research into Theodor Lessing’s fight against noise and his Antilärmverein (1908-11). John has since given talks on Lessing in the UK, Germany, Austria and the United States. Two chapters analysing the German philosopher’s crusade against noise are currently being published in the volume German in the Loud Twentieth Century (OUP) and Angermion (Peter Lang). --------------------- DIRECTIONS Take the underground (Central Line / District Line / Hammersmith & City Line) to Mile End tube station. Mile End tube station has only one exit. Turn left at the exit, walk straight on and walk over the crossing: http://tinyurl.com/3g9n5nc Keep walking straight on, pass under the yellow bridge, cross the small canal bridge and walk on until you come to a pedestrian crossing with traffic lights where you should cross Mile End Road. While doing so, you will see the college’s East Gate almost in front of you: http://tinyurl.com/65zpuxj Go through the gate and walk straight on (along Westfield Way) until you see the Lock Keeper’s Cottage on you right. It looks like this: http://tinyurl.com/qmlcc The Steiner Room is upstairs.