Jena, July 14, 2026 – A special exhibition dedicated to the literary work of poet Elke Erb, who passed away in 2024, opens today at the Ernst-Abbe-Bücherei Jena. The presentation centers on her well-known poem “Angekommen in Ahrenshoop”.
- What: Literary exhibition on Elke Erb’s poem “Angekommen in Ahrenshoop”
- When: July 14 to July 31, 2026 (Tuesday to Friday 10:00 AM–7:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM–5:00 PM)
- Where: Ernst-Abbe-Bücherei Jena (Engelplatz 2, 07743 Jena) and in Schillers Garten
- Admission: Free
The poetic significance of Elke Erb’s work
Elke Erb’s poems are characterized by a subtle power of observation. They perceive the here and now in an intense way and encourage the observer to question the obvious. Through the medium of language, Erb creates spaces for astonishment and reflection. The poem “Angekommen in Ahrenshoop,” which is the subject of the exhibition, literally comes into motion in this presentation: it is translated into various languages, changes its form, and encourages internal dialogue as well as exchange among visitors.
In addition to the literary exploration, Jena currently offers further artistic highlights in the city area, such as the Beate Debus sculptures in the Botanical Garden.
Exhibition opening and curation
Following the ceremonial exhibition opening held on May 12, 2026, at 7:30 PM at the Ernst-Abbe-Bücherei, citizens now have the opportunity throughout July to view the installation in detail. The ambitious project was curated by Catalina Giraldo Vélez, Katherin Gutierrez, Lisa Memmeler, and Helmut Hühn. As a rainy-day activity, the exhibition spans the premises of the library at Engelplatz as well as Schillers Garten.
For inquiries, the Ernst-Abbe-Bücherei team is available by phone at +49 (0) 3641 498160 or via email at eab@jena.de. Further information can be found directly on the website at www.stadtbibliothek-jena.de.
🎭 Culture & City Life: On the literary legacy of Elke Erb
Elke Erb (1938–2024) was one of the most influential voices in modern German-language poetry. Her work was awarded, among others, the prestigious Georg-Büchner-Preis. As an important mediator between the generations and literary worlds of the GDR and reunified Germany, she left a lasting mark on the literary landscape. The exhibition at the Ernst-Abbe-Bücherei honors this bridging function by making her work accessible to a broad audience in public space.
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Exhibition on Elke Erb’s poem “Angekommen in Ahrenshoop”
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