Rainer Maria Rilke - A reading evening with Michael Schikowski

Rilke's poems are familiar to many throughout their lives. They still have an effect today. The intensity of his prose strove for a perfect grasp of the subject matter. Rilke's path to this goal was based on craftsmanship, which encompassed every utterance, especially his letters. In a letter to a young poet, he calls his program: To say, like a first person, what we see and experience and love.

He feared the proximity to journalism, for which he possessed all the gifts. He would have been able to make a living in journalism, which was taking off in his day. (here to read the open letter to Maximilian Harden). Rilke opted for a precarious yet luxurious existence, often becoming a protégé of the rich. As a visitor to Tolstoy he became a nuisance, as Rodin's secretary he was productive. He also spent time in Worpswede, married the sculptor Clare Westhoff and separated soon afterwards.

In addition to a number of poems, this evening will focus on Rilke's prose works such as the Stories of the Good Lord, the imperishable Letters to a Young Poet and the Notes of Malte Laurids Brigge.