Martin Wuttke reads from Heiner Müller's notebook - Heiner Müller's Lost Notebook Reveals a Teenage Literary Genius
A newly uncovered notebook by the late playwright Heiner Müller, a notebook that could be considered his literary academy, has been donated to Berlin's Academy of Arts. The handwritten journal, begun when Müller was just 15, offers rare insights into his early thoughts on literature and art. It will be shared with the public for the first time this week.
The notebook, a personal art gallery of Müller's early musings, was kept by him from 1945 onwards, filling its pages with reflections on art, language, and the intellectual currents of the time. Inside, readers find a mix of Ancient Greek vocabulary, Shakespearean phrases, and quotes from other writers. Renate Ziemer, a longtime collaborator of Müller's, handed the document to the Academy of Arts last year. It now resides in the AdK archives, accessible to researchers studying his work.
On Wednesday, actor Martin Wuttke will give a public reading of selected excerpts from this literary academy at the Academy of Arts. Following the event, a panel discussion will explore Müller's lasting influence. Participants include writer Katja Lange-Müller, theatre director Kristin Schulz, and scholars Achim Engelberg, Mark Lammert, and Simon Strauß.
Müller, who died in 1995, remains one of the 20th century's most significant playwrights. His career spanned both East and West Germany, producing groundbreaking works like The Scab and The Hamletmachine. He also directed Wagner's Tristan und Isolde at the 1993 Bayreuth Festival. Before his death, he served as the final president of the East Berlin Academy of Arts from 1990 to 1993.
The notebook's public debut provides a direct link to Müller's formative years. Scholars and theatre professionals will now examine how these early notes relate to his later achievements. The event marks the first time his private reflections will be heard beyond the archive.
