Irish Poetry Jukebox comes to Stuttgart

When we think of Ireland, we picture wide expansive green landscapes, meandering sheep, and quaint streets enclosed by historic walls - complete with the lively tradition of Irish dancing. But things are not always so idyllic on the island.

This concept is being brought to life by a poetry jukebox on the Stadtmitte campus of the University of Stuttgart. Filled with poems by Irish and international poets, the jukebox serves as a vessel for their collective visions of Ireland one hundred years into the future. These poetic compositions are an integral part of the 'Zeitgeist Ireland 24 Initiative' and have been meticulously curated into a bilingual jukebox.

"We want to make art accessible to everyone," emphasizes Jessica Bundschuh from the Department of English Literatures and Cultures at the University of Stuttgart. At the touch of a button, passers-by on the Stadtmitte campus between the KI and KII college buildings are encouraged to immerse themselves in the rhythmic verses, actively contributing to the evolving urban soundscape. "The Poetry Jukebox is accessible around the clock, with the option to listen to the poems in English, Irish, German, and Ukrainian." The poems were translated into German by English students at the University of Stuttgart. The poems can also be listened to and shared online via the SoundCloud platform using a QR code, fostering a broader engagement with the artistic narratives.

A century after the partition of Ireland, marking the establishment of the independent Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland as part of Great Britain, twenty contemporary poets cast their gaze a hundred years into the future. Through their verses, they articulate their unique visions of this historically conflict-laden region. These poetic narratives are imbued with ambiguity, deliberately crafted to be open to multiple interpretations. Within their lines, the poets encapsulate contradictory and often enigmatic portrayals of the 'truth' that shaped the division of the country in 1922 - views that were as complex then as they remain today.

The poets follow a venerable tradition dating back two millennia. The origins of this tradition go back to the bards of the ancient Gaelic courts, where poets were revered and even feared as prophets and heralds of truth.

"Zeitgeist Ireland 24" was initiated by government agencies in Ireland and involves the implementation of collaborative projects that aim to make Irish culture and history accessible across borders. As part of the "Sensing Sound in Literature" project, the Department of English Literatures and Cultures at the University of Stuttgart worked with the art production company Quotidian to install a bilingual jukebox on the Stadtmitte campus. The jukebox will be open to the public on the University of Stuttgart's Stadtmitte campus from January 25 to May 31, 2024. 

Events 
Opening event on site, Keplerstraße 17 between KI and KII, Friday, February 2, 2024 at 11 a.m.
Workshops for pupils in grades 8 to 13, on Fridays at 10 a.m. on the following dates: March 8, April 19 and May 17.