UTZ RACHOWSKI (born January 23, 1954, in Plauen, Vogtland) is a German writer whose life and work have been deeply influenced by his commitment to intellectual freedom and human rights.
Rachowski's confrontations with the East German State Security (Stasi) began in 1968 during his high school years. In 1971, he was expelled for founding a philosophy club and was subsequently excluded from the Free German Youth (FDJ). He then completed an apprenticeship as an electrical fitter and served in the National People's Army (NVA).
In 1977, Rachowski received his Abitur from the Workers' and Farmers' Faculty in Freiberg and began his medical studies in Leipzig. However, after two semesters, he was expelled because of his dissident activities.
In 1979, he was arrested for distributing his own poems and the works of authors like Jürgen Fuchs, Reiner Kunze, and Wolf Biermann. Convicted of "subversive agitation," he received a 27-month prison sentence. With the intervention of Reiner Kunze and Amnesty International, he was released in 1980 and expatriated to West Germany. There, he studied art history and philosophy at universities in Göttingen and Berlin.
Rachowski's literary career began in 1982 with the publication of his works. Notably, he and Marianne Herzog were among the few West German writers who, during Poland's military dictatorship, visited the country to support incarcerated colleagues and smuggle their writings to the West.
After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Rachowski returned to Vogtland while keeping a residence in Berlin. In 1993, he co-founded the Dresden literary magazine Ostragehege and served as an editor alongside Axel Reitel and Roland Erb for seven years.
Since 2003, he has worked as a rehabilitation counselor for victims of the former GDR dictatorship under the auspices of the Saxon State Commissioner for Stasi Files.
He has published 17 books, including stories, essays, and poetry, and has given readings and lectures throughout Germany, the United States, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Finland, Senegal, Kenya, Lithuania, and Poland. His works have been translated into English, Polish, French, Spanish, Serbian, and Finnish.
Utz Rachowski's recent accolades include:
2007: Reiner Kunze Prize
2008: Calwer Hermann-Hesse-Stipendium
2012: Writer-in-Residence at Gettysburg College, Pennsylvania
2013: Nomination for the Pushcart Prize in the United States
2014: Nikolaus-Lenau Prize
2017: Prose Prize from the Society for Contemporary American Literature in German
2020: Alfred-Müller-Felsenburg-Preis
2021: Lisa-und-Robert-Kahn-Lyrikpreis from the Society for Contemporary American Literature in German
The translation work presented in this issue of The Pasticheur is the result of the creative work done by the following talented writers:
MICHAEL L. RITTERSON is Professor Emeritus of German at Gettysburg College, where he served from 1968 until his retirement in 2008. Throughout his four-decade tenure, he played a key role in shaping the German Studies program, inspiring countless students with his enthusiasm for the German language, literature, and culture.
Beyond teaching, Ritterson has made significant contributions to literary translation and scholarship. His research interests encompass German Studies and literary translation, and he has shared his expertise through numerous research papers. His dedication to bridging linguistic and cultural divides has enriched both academic circles and the broader literary community.
In retirement, and until recently, Michael Ritterson has remained active in his field by continuing to participate in research and translation projects. His enduring dedication to German Studies inspires both colleagues and students.
LOUISE E. STOEHR, born 1956 in Los Angeles, California, is Professor of German at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. She completed her B.A. and M.A. in German and Linguistics at Occidental College, and received her doctorate in Germanic Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. She has published numerous literary translations by authors including Günter Grass, Elfriede Jelenik, Hans Joachim Schädlich, Sarah Kirsch, and Uwe Kolbe.
JANE MÜLLER-PETERSON is the Joseph B. Kelly Lawyering Skills Professor Emerita at Penn State's Dickinson School of Law. With a distinguished career dedicated to legal education, she has significantly contributed to the development of practical lawyering skills among her students. Even in her emeritus status, Professor Muller-Peterson sometimes teaches the course "Legal Problems of Indigents (Poverty Law)," reflecting her enduring commitment to addressing issues faced by underrepresented communities. She is also a near-native speaker of German and often translates literature into English.
WOLFGANG MÜLLER is a Professor Emeritus of German at Dickinson College, renowned for his extensive contributions to German literature and culture. During his tenure, he served as the coordinator for the Kade Center and was the managing editor of the journal Glossen, a publication dedicated to literary and cultural criticism.
Beyond his editorial work, Professor Müller is an accomplished translator and author. Collaborating with his wife, Jane Müller-Peterson, he has translated various literary works, bringing German literature to a broader audience.
His dedication to fostering a deep understanding of German culture has left an indelible mark on both his students and the academic community.
