Internationale Walter Benjamin Gesellschaft

The first Internationale Walter Benjamin Gesellschaft [ɡəˈzɛlʃaft] (generally translated as "community" or "society"), here understood as "commune", was a founding within the 68er-Bewegung in Hamburg, at the time when the American Counterculture[1] reached Europe’s students.

Site of the first International Walter Benjamin Society, Jungfernstieg No 48, Hamburg

Formation

Founded by Natias Neutert in 1968 and supported by Hubert Fichte and other cultural patrons, the institute worked until the end of 1973.

Goals

The institute sought to intensify the knowledge of Walter Benjamin's works. One important goal of the society was to propagate and promote Benjamin to a global prototype of theory of revolutionary change such as Marx.[2] Another important goal was to combine Benjamin’s elitist insights with the mass phenomenon of Pop music.[3][4]

Site of the new International Walter Benjamin Society, Schützenstraße No 18, Berlin

Re-Establishment

A globally orientated discourse has been launched by a new International Walter Benjamin Society in Berlin in 2000. It wishes to bring together "scientists and interested readers from all over the world" and organizes "large conferences every two years to Walter Benjamin, and related topics"[5]

See also

Notes
  1. Cf. Keith Melville: "Communes in the counter culture. Origins, Theories, Styls of Life." Morrow & Co, New York, 1972, p.102-149.
  2. Cf. the manifesto concerned: Natias Neutert Mit Walter Benjamin! Poeto-philosophisches Manifest zur Gründung der Internationalen Walter Benjamin Gesellschaft. Verlag Copyleft, Hamburg 1968, p. 6.
  3. Cf Natias Neutert: "Let It Rock!" in: Frankfurter Rundschau Nr. 228, 2. October 1970.
  4. Helmut Salzinger: "Rock Power oder Wie musikalisch ist die Revolution?". Ein Essay über Pop-Musik und Gegenkultur. Reinbek bei Hamburg 1972. ISBN 3436015318
  5. Cf. International Walter Benjamin Society International Walter Benjamin Society
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