Attention Goethe fans: Faust II manuscript finally in Weimar!

The Classic Foundation in Weimar for the first time publicly shows the original manuscript of "Faust II". This important manuscript was completed shortly before the death of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. As part of this presentation, the Foundation focuses on Goethe's "Faust" this year.

Goethe came to the classic city of Weimar in 1775 and had already brought parts of the tragedy with them, which were finally the "Urfaust". On the occasion of Goethe's arrival 250 years ago, further exhibitions and events on the subject of “Faust” are planned. President of the foundation Ulrike Lorenz emphasizes that the focus should be on Goethe's life project and not on a personal cult. Goethe worked on the tragedy for several decades, which deals with the complex relationship between Faust and Gretchen as well as the Teufelspact. The first part of "Faust" was published in 1808, while "Faust II" was published posthumously.

special exhibition "Experiment Faust"

In the Goethe and Schiller archive, a special exhibition entitled "Experiment Faust" is also presented. This rarely presents manuscripts and Goethe's way of working. The archive has a handwritten estate of Goethe, which is part of the UNESCO World Document Erbe and includes most of the factory manuscripts for "Faust I" and "Faust II". To be seen will be seen unpublished texts, fragments, the 'Urfaust' and the postally published manuscripts of "Faust II".

The exhibition documents Goethe's lifelong examination of the fabric and presents pieces that provide insights into the process of creating the work. Rare fist manuscripts, sketches, schemes and edited pure writings are also shown. The opening of the exhibition is planned for April 30, 2025. The original manuscript is shown on certain appointments with a curatorial introduction and under protection, while a facsimile of the manuscript will be seen during the entire duration of the exhibition.