Rotraud von Kulessa in Augsburg: Book Presentation about Women's Aging and Literature
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Literary History of Aging: Rotraud von Kulessa presents her new book
How do women poets and authors write about aging? This question is addressed by Prof. Dr. Rotraud von Kulessa in her book presentation "In the Prime of Life." Writing about Women's Aging in Texts by Women Poets and Authors of Italian Literature from the Renaissance to the Present. On October 27, 2026, a literary scientific perspective on body, time, femininity, and the experience of aging will be opened at the Fugger and Welser Experience Museum.
A gender-sensitive cultural history of aging
The monograph examines literary representations of aging women over several centuries. The focus is on continuities and breaks in Italian literature from the Renaissance to the present. Rotraud von Kulessa combines Romance literature science with gender studies and gerontology. Her analysis makes visible how literary narratives shape, question, and reimagine societal ideas of female aging.
Body, time, and the question of one's own life
The texts discussed lead into a multifaceted discourse on body images, experiences of time, and dealing with death. Literature appears not merely as a reflection of social reality, but as a linguistic space of reflection and negotiation. The authors write against the collective notion that the fear of physical decay and death is unilaterally projected onto the old woman.
Literature as a place of self-interpretation
Particular attention is paid to female auto(r)poiesis and the designs of a practical philosophy of life. The term refers to the creative power with which female subjects design themselves in literary texts and assert their position in history and society. Thus, a literary history emerges in which aging is not only seen as loss but also as experience, insight, and opportunity for self-determination.
An author encounter with scientific depth
Rotraud von Kulessa holds the chair for Romance Literature at the University of Augsburg. Her research focuses on French and Italian literature, female genealogies, gender discourses, cultural transfer, and the historical reevaluation of literary canons. Her book presentation combines precise text analysis with a socially relevant topic and offers insights into the literary art of language from the Renaissance to the present.
Voices from knowledge transfer
The announcement from the Jakob Fugger Center highlights the event as a presentation of a funded scientific book project. The focus is on women, aging, literature, Italy, and the question of what existential function literature can perform for therapy, healing, and personal reflection.
Conclusion: An evening about aging, dignity, and literary self-determination
The book presentation at the Fugger and Welser Experience Museum promises a challenging literary experience for all those interested in Italian literature, gender studies, cultural history, and the societal significance of writing. Those who wish to experience literature as a linguistic place of insight will encounter research that examines familiar images of aging and opens new perspectives. Admission is free, and registration is recommended due to limited space.
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