Til Stegmann, German scholar and Catalan culture advocate, dies at 85

Tilbert Dídac Stegmann, a prominent German philologist and dedicated advocate for Catalan language and culture, has passed away at the age of 85. Born in Barcelona to German parents, Stegmann spent much of his life bridging the cultural gap between Catalonia and Germany.

A professor of Romance Philology at Goethe University Frankfurt, he was instrumental in establishing one of the largest Catalan-themed libraries outside of Catalan-speaking territories, housing over 35,000 volumes. He also played a key role in the 2007 Frankfurt Book Fair, where Catalan literature was featured as a guest of honor.

Stegmann authored numerous academic and popular works, including ‘Catalunya vista per un alemany’ and ‘Servir Catalunya des d'Alemanya’. His contributions to the promotion of the Catalan language earned him prestigious honors, including the Creu de Sant Jordi in 1985, the Ramon Llull International Prize in 2006, and the Pompeu Fabra Prize in 2008.