The Meeting at Telgte by Gunter Grass

Description

“The Meeting at Telgte” (German: “Das Treffen in Telgte”) is a novella written by the German author Günter Grass. It was first published in 1979. The novella is a historical fiction work that imagines a fictional meeting of poets during the 17th century, set against the backdrop of the Thirty Years’ War, a devastating conflict in Europe.

The story is framed as a fictional account of a gathering of poets who convene in the town of Telgte in Westphalia, Germany, in 1647. These poets represent different regions and factions involved in the Thirty Years’ War, and their meeting serves as a metaphor for the potential of art and literature to bridge divides and foster reconciliation.

“The Meeting at Telgte” explores themes of war, literature, creativity, and the role of the writer in society. Günter Grass uses the historical setting to reflect on the power of literature and the potential for art to transcend conflict and political divisions. The novella is known for its lyrical and evocative prose, as well as its exploration of the writer’s role in recording and interpreting history.

Günter Grass, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1999, is known for his literary works that engage with German history and society, and “The Meeting at Telgte” is a notable example of his thought-provoking and imaginative storytelling.