Goethe exhibition in Leipzig: A century of literary passion!

Goethe exhibition in Leipzig: A century of literary passion!

On November 6, 2025, the special exhibition "Poet icon. Collecting, researching, venerating, communicating GOETHE" will open in the Leipzig University Library, Bibliotheca Albertina. This is happening on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Leipzig Goethe Society and sheds light on the regional collecting culture of the 19th century. The focus is on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, one of the most influential writers in the German language, whose work and person occupy a special place in Germany's literary memory. [Leipziginfo] reports that the exhibition shows numerous objects from the university library's holdings that illustrate Goetheana's collecting practices.

Goethe himself was born on August 28, 1749 in Frankfurt am Main and is known for his diverse talents as a poet, playwright and scientist. His works have had an enormous influence on literary, political and philosophical thought in the West, and he is considered Germany's greatest literary figure in the modern era. His best-known works include “Faust”, “Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship” and “The Sorrows of Young Werther”. The importance of Goethe is reflected in the fact that he was recognized as a national poet in Germany, especially after the founding of the German Empire in 1871, when his influence and reputation increased greatly. [Wikipedia] and [Britannica] offer comprehensive insights into his biographical background and literary achievements.

The exhibition and its highlights

The exhibition will be open from November 7, 2025 to February 1, 2026 and entry is free. A special aspect of the show is the first presentation of objects from Julius Bode's Faust collection, which was transferred to the Bibliotheca Albertina in 1913. These collectibles illustrate not only Goethe's great importance, but also Leipzig's role as a center of the autograph trade in the 19th century.

The important collectors who shaped the Goethe cult include Georg Kestner, who had personal contact with the poet, and Salomon Hirzel, who began collecting in 1832. Collecting literary objects, especially autographs and valuable prints, was an expression of bourgeois culture in the 19th century. The exhibition's supporting program will discuss the role of literary societies in communicating the work and legacy of well-known authors.

A look at Goethe's influence

Goethe, who studied law at the University of Leipzig from 1765 to 1768, was a central figure in Weimar Classicism and had a lasting influence on German and European literature. His works, which are often described as classic, are considered European high literature. His poems have been set to music by composers such as Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert. Goethe was not only a literary genius, but also an interested natural scientist who studied botany, anatomy and color theory. His view of the world, as a free thinker and critic of dogmas, influenced many thinkers and artists of the 19th century, including Schopenhauer, Nietzsche and Hegel.

The exhibition "Poet icon. Collecting, researching, honoring, communicating GOETHE" is part of the Leipzig theme year 2025 "More than a story - book city Leipzig". The exhibition will be accompanied by an 88-page, richly illustrated catalog that will be available locally and in bookstores. Further information can be found on the Leipzig University Library website.