Weimarer Kontroverse: Sag, wie hast du’s mit Deutschland?

Goethe's Faust is perhaps the most quintessentially German work of German literature. Its reception and impact reflect the struggle for a German identity and the precarious self-understanding of Germany as a cultural nation. Nevertheless, as a manifesto of the German essence, the text is rarely read today, if at all. Should Goethe's work be part of the mandatory curriculum in secondary schools? Should the material be included in the naturalization test? Starting with Faust, we discuss the "conditions of Germany," economic and cultural crises, our present as a society shaped by migration, and the never-ending struggle for a cultural and political self-understanding. These and other questions will be discussed by Berlin-based migration and integration researcher Naika Foroutan and cultural and media scholar Joseph Vogl. In this year dedicated to Faust, the Weimar Controversies series addresses the fundamental questions of our time. The range of themes in Goethe's drama is almost as comprehensive as the cultural, political, and social challenges we face today. Starting with Faust, we explore the current significance of religions, our understanding of nature and gender roles, and our trust in science. We want to understand what fundamentally holds the world together, but also whether and how this classic of German literature should be read in the future.