Cultural events in Germany explore the legacy of Franz Kafka

Two distinct cultural productions in Germany are set to explore the life and works of Franz Kafka in late 2026.

In Augsburg, the Staatstheater Augsburg will premiere ‘Kafka/Ich’ at the lab. 30 Media Art Festival on October 29. This immersive installation utilizes generative artificial intelligence and a photorealistic avatar to allow visitors to engage in individual, unpredictable dialogues with a digital version of Kafka. The AI is trained on the author's complete works, diaries, and letters.

In Ludwigshafen, the Pfalzbau Bühnen will host ‘K. Ein talmudisches Tingeltangel rund um Kafkas Prozess’ on November 8 and 9. Directed by Barrie Kosky and performed by the Berliner Ensemble, this musical theater piece examines Kafka's relationship with Judaism and his novel ‘The Trial’. The production incorporates Yiddish theater elements, Bach, and Schumann, featuring Kathrin Wehlisch in the role of K.