Stefan and Inge Heym working library to come to Chemnitz

The city of Chemnitz is planning to establish a Stefan Heym Centre in the city, with the Stefan and Inge Heym Working Library at its heart. The plans for this were presented today by Lord Mayor Barbara Ludwig together with Dr Ulrike Uhlig, Chairwoman of the Stefan Heym Society, and Ferenc Csák, Head of the City's Cultural Department. The decision in principle is on the agenda of the City Council on 11 December.

Inge Heym: "Books that he wrote himself, books that accompanied him throughout his life, reflect the times and stages of Stefan Heym's life. The library makes it possible to find traces and provide information as a contemporary document about the writer Stefan Heym, his convictions, his attitudes in contradictory times. For me, it represents 30 years of living and working together, a part of my life. With the library, Stefan Heym is returning to his home town, which he had to leave as a young man when his life was at stake. The donation is certainly in his spirit in our contradictory times."

Dr Ulrike Uhlig, Chairwoman of the Stefan Heym Society: "When I first came to Stefan and Inge Heym's house in Berlin-Grünau eight years ago, I was fascinated and impressed: books from the cellar to the attic. The great writer had already passed away, but his presence could still be felt almost physically in the rooms. First editions of his works, books by colleagues and friends, complete editions of Shakespeare and Heine, whom he adored. Back then, I would never have dreamed that Inge Heym would one day so generously donate her husband's working library, her own books and many personal items to Chemnitz. The fact that this has come true means so much to the ISHG. We would like the future Stefan Heym Forum with the working library to become a place of lively encounters between readers, but also a place of Heym research and academic exchange."

The almost 2,000 works in the book collection and the furnishings are intended to make the atmosphere of the space tangible. The working library will be housed in the former TIETZ café on the third floor and will be open to pupils, students, researchers and other interested parties.

The idea came from the International Stefan Heym Society, which was founded in Chemnitz in 2009. During their visits to the house of the writer's widow, Inge Heym, the members got to know the working library. Together with the city, the plan was born to bring the working library to the city where Stefan Heym was born.

The working library is to be attractively presented to the public in the TIETZ and secured by a glass room-in-room system. In addition to the presentation of the working library and a multifunctional event area, the following main themes are planned: Zone 1 includes biographies in a political context - Stefan Heym the writer, as a contemporary witness and publicist. Zone 2 deals with Heym's life and work, research and research literature. Zone 3 is dedicated to the winners of the city's International Stefan Heym Prize and Zone 4 introduces the International Stefan Heym Society.

An event and training area with approx. 30 seats is to be integrated into the exhibition space. This can be used for school lessons, study purposes, etc.

The costs for the remodelling and furnishing of the library amount to around 250,000 euros. The draft biennial budget initially earmarked 100,000 euros for this in 2019. Funding and other third-party funds are to be acquired for the remaining sum. Once the city council has given its approval and funding has been secured, the ambitious goal is to open the library at the time of the next International Stefan Heym Prize award ceremony in spring 2020.

The Stefan Heym Centre is to become a contact point for researchers. A research centre at the Chair of Modern German and Comparative Literature at Chemnitz University of Technology is also planned, which will make the city even more of a centre for Heym research. In addition to scientific, interdisciplinary conferences and symposia, it is possible that Heym's previously unpublished works and a historical-critical edition of his complete works will be published.

Stefan Heym (1913 - 2001) is one of the most important German writers of the
20th century. In his literary works, including novels, essays, short stories and speeches, he addressed the major social conflicts of his time and provoked opposition.

The city, the International Stefan Heym Society and Chemnitz University of Technology are working together to realise the project.