It’s all about Kafka this week as a huge celebration of the acclaimed author takes place in Oxford with a vibrant programme for all ages taking place in the city centre.
A gigantic Jitterbug in University Parks will be hosting a dazzling array of events from yoga and story-telling to workshops, talks, crafts and cabaret from Friday May 31.
Meanwhile, acclaimed exhibition Kafka: Making of an Icon opens at the Weston Library on Thursday May 30, marking the 100th anniversary of the author’s death and giving an inspired insight into the great writer’s life and achievements.
Oxford Kafka 2024 is the brainchild of The Cultural Programme at the University of Oxford, to celebrate Franz Kafka‘s global legacy and mark the 100 year anniversary of the author’s untimely death aged 40.
The Bodleian Library in Oxford holds the largest archive on Franz Kafka’s papers in the world, most notably the original manuscripts of his well-known story The Metamorphosis, two of his unfinished novels, Das Schloss (The Castle) and Der Verschollene (America), as well as personal correspondence.
Kafka: Making of an Icon not only introduces Kafka’ s life and times but his life and influences through his literary notebooks, drawings, diaries, letters, postcards, glossaries and photographs.
The exhibition will coincide with a multitude of fun and interesting activities for all ages taking place in the giant Jitterbug installation – an enormous 14 metre inflatable bug tent based around Kafka’s work ‘Metamorphosis’, from May 31 – June 2 in University Parks.
Award-winning theatre-makers Trigger‘s free creative programme aims to ensure Kafka reaches a wider audience with everything from a drag cabaret extravaganza to a brand-new collaboration between Oxford-based MC Rawz and aerialist Julia Sparkle.
Some of the key highlights include Oxford-based The Story Museum taking over the Jitterbug tent for storytelling and crafting on Friday May 31, followed by a special evening performance by international superstar, Meow Meow, who will grace the audience with some of her trademark Kafkaesque musical mayhem. (tickets priced at £10).
Then on Saturday June 1 enjoy a Bugify Me workshop transforming old clothes into new during the day, and ‘Cabaret at the Jitterbug’ in the evening with a performance by Dragademia. ‘Chrysalis’ will also be performed by esteemed local artists, Rawz and aerialist Julia Sparkle.
On Sunday June 2, meet some special buggy guests on an insect adventure, followed by an engaging panel discussion delving into the world of insects and their future.
There’s lots to see and do with walkabout characters from Storm in a Teacup Circus, face painting, plenty of drop in sessions, food and drink.
John Fulljames, Director of the Humanities Cultural programme, says: “We can’t wait to welcome people from across the city and beyond to the Jitterbug events which should be a lot of fun and bring Kafka’s world to life”
Richard Ovenden, Bodley’s Librarian, said ‘Franz Kafka is one of the most influential writers of the past
century. His works have been translated into a vast number of languages, and have sold in the millions of
copies. Kafka’s fame, and literary success has, however, been a phenomenon since his death in 1924. The
Kafka archive is critical to explain the power of his literary genius and the trajectory of his work into its
current global status.”
For more information go to: https://oxfordculturalprogramme.org.uk
