Schiller 24

Friedrich Schiller is more contemporary than ever. As one of the few figures of German literary and philosophical history, this Swabian-born Weimarer continues to encourage us to reflect on the identity of the German cultural nation. The 200th anniversary of his death on 9 May 2005 provides us an opportunity to re-examine his life and complete works. Christina Weiss, the Minister of State for Culture and the Media, recently invited Schiller enthusiasts to a round-table discussion to develop the opening ceremony for this commemorative year - Schiller 24.

Schiller 24 features a group of prominent personalities in an exciting and unusually choreographed 24-hour reading in the new building of the Berlin Academy of the Arts located on Pariser Platz. As the first event, it will officially mark the start of the commemorative year in May 2005. The reading, which is open to the public, will begin on Saturday, 5 March at 12 pm and end on Sunday, 6 March at 12 pm. Hermann Beil is responsible for dramaturgy and selecting the texts. Schiller 24 is being funded by the Federal Cultural Foundation, the Berlin Academy of the Arts, the ZDF theaterkanal and 3sat, under the patronage and collaboration of Minister of State Christina Weiss.

Schiller 24 is both a reading and enticement - a commemoration and happening.

Over 100 well-known representatives of politics, culture, music, society, theatre and film have been invited to participate in the event. Those who have already agreed to take part include the president of the Goethe-Institut, Prof. Dr. Jutta Limbach, the general director of the Schauspiel Basel, Michael Schindhelm, and numerous actors such as Armin Rohde, Matthias Schweighöfer, Hanns Zischler, Anna Thalbach and Esther Schweins.

The event in the new building of the Berlin Academy of the Arts on Pariser Platz can also be viewed as a live video stream on this website.