“A book should be the axe that breaks the frozen sea within us,” wrote Franz Kafka, offering a profound reflection on the transformative power of literature. But how do his words resonate today? In a world marked by immediacy, where contemporary audiences are constantly subjected to a rapid and relentless barrage of stimuli, the question arises of how his works continue to impact readers. Can Kafka, with his unique style, still break that “frozen sea” within us, or has our way of interpreting and experiencing his message changed?

This lecture will be given by Marisa Siguan, Professor of German Philology at the University of Barcelona, ​​who has dedicated much of her academic career to studying the work of Kafka and other German authors. Siguan will offer an in-depth perspective on the enduring relevance and impact of Kafka's works, addressing key questions about reading his texts in the digital age and their continued relevance in the modern cultural context.

Following the lecture, Reading Workshop I will take place , led by Professors Carmen Gómez García and Linda Maeding, both from the Department of German Philology at the Faculty of Philology of the Complutense University of Madrid. This workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to delve into Kafka's work from an analytical perspective, discussing its themes, symbolism, and how these continue to resonate with contemporary readers.

On November 8th at 11:00 AM, the Reading Workshop II will take place at the Faculty of Philology of the Complutense University, introduced by Nuria Sánchez Madrid, professor of the Department of Philosophy and Society of the UCM, with Carmen Gómez García and Linda Maeding (professors of the Department of German Philology of the Faculty of Philology of the UCM).

Illustrations by Miquel Barceló for The Transformation, by Franz Kafka.