When does the public tour take place?

The tour takes place on Monday, November 9, 2026, at 5 PM and lasts about one hour.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is the entrance area of the Bamberg State Library at Neue Residenz, Domplatz 8 in Bamberg.

What is the cost to participate?

The public tour is free of charge.

Is prior registration required?

No, prior registration is not required.

What topics are covered in the tour?

The tour provides background information on E. T. A. Hoffmann’s Bamberg years, the exhibition concept, as well as literature, book art, romanticism, and the international impact of his works.

Discover E. T. A. Hoffmann: Fantasy, Literature, and Book Art in Bamberg

Name: E. T. A. Hoffmann global. Border Transitions of Fantasy – Public Guided Tour
Start: 2026-11-09T17:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-11-09T18:00:00+01:00
Location: Staatsbibliothek Bamberg – Neue Residenz

Border Transitions of Fantasy: Discovering E. T. A. Hoffmann in Bamberg

On Monday, November 9, 2026, the Bamberg State Library invites you to a one-hour public guided tour through the exhibition E. T. A. Hoffmann global. Border Transitions of Fantasy. In the historic setting of the New Residence, visitors will encounter a universal artist whose literary imagination continues to mediate between reality and fantasy, literature and visual art to this day.

A Bamberg Experience Between Romanticism and World Literature

E. T. A. Hoffmann lived in Bamberg for five years. The so-called Bamberg years shaped his transition from composer to writer and left clear traces in the cultural memory of the city. The tour places Hoffman’s Bamberg period in the context of his biography and German Romanticism.

The Nutcracker, Murr the Tomcat and Olympia

The exhibition gathers illustrated editions, artist graphics, and children's books. Hoffmann’s famous figures – including the brave Nutcracker, the vain Murr the Tomcat, and the artificial Olympia – appear as literary characters and as visual worlds that have repeatedly inspired artists to new interpretations.

Literature Crossing Borders

The focus is on the international influence of Hoffmann's work. His texts early transcended linguistic, national, and media boundaries. The exhibition shows how Hoffmann's stories were received in France, Russia, and other parts of the world, and how they continue to resonate in comics, graphic novels, and contemporary book art.

Aesthetic Experience in the State Library

Amidst historical spaces, precious books, and imaginative illustrations, a special exhibition atmosphere is created. The examination of the works combines art historical context with sensual perception: lines, colors, printing techniques, and book design make visible how Hoffmann's narrative worlds continually take on new forms.

Cultural Education and Focused Examination of Works

The public guided tour conveys background information on the curation, the exhibits, and Hoffmann's significance for literary history and cultural education. It is aimed at art and literature enthusiasts as well as anyone who wants to rediscover Bamberg as the city of Hoffmann. No prior registration is required.

Conclusion: Experience Hoffmann's Fantasy Live

The free guided tour provides a focused access to an exhibition on literature, romanticism, book art, and international cultural history. Those who want to experience how Hoffmann's characters continue to live between word, image, and stage should not miss this artistic experience at the Bamberg State Library.