The work and influence of Janheinz Jahn
Head:
Prof. Dr. Flora Veit-Wild
Location:
Invalidenstraße 118, 10115 Berlin, 4. Etage, Room 402
Tel. +49 30 2093-6674
e-mail: flora.veit-wild@rz.hu- berlin.de
Staff:
Anja Schwarz,
Room: 407
Tel. +49 30 2093-6677
e-mail : anja.schwarz@rz.hu- berlin.de
Departure and change:
The work and influence of Janheinz Jahn (1918-1973)
as mediator of African literatures and cultures in Germany
Description:
The translator, writer, literature researcher, bibliographer and private librarian
Janheinz Jahn is regarded as the first German-speaking mediator of African literatures and
cultures.
Jahn's lasting influence on the perception of African literatures in particular in Germany
between the Fifties and the Eighties should be examined within the two-year research project.
Thereby the numerous reciprocal effects of his work with other network entities such as press,
radio, TV, publishing houses and universities play a special role. Moreover the project will
deal with Jahn's intellectual biography and the judgement of his person and his work in
Europe, Africa and America, but particularly in his homeland Germany.
As important mediator of the literatures and cultures of Africa in the German-speaking
countries he must be arranged in the context of the so far unexplored history of perception
and mediation of African literatures in these countries as well as in the history of relevant
cultural institutions. To that extent the project will make a contribution within a hardly
investigated range.
Methodically the theory of perception as well as the biographical analysis will be used for
analysing the material. Jahn's private estate, which the Humboldt University of Berlin has
purchased in 2004 with the allowance of the Thyssen-Foundation, will be the primary source
for the research. Interviews with time witnesses as well as relevant documents from libraries
and from archives of broadcast, TV, press and institutes will serve as additional sources.
The project get financial support by the Fritz Thyssen Stiftung.