NOTE: All information from the folkhögskola will be sent in Swedish.
CHAVA ROSENFARB: THE ART OF SHORT STORIES
This course offers a deep dive into the literary world of Chava Rosenfarb (1923-2011), a celebrated poet and novelist known for works such as the “The Tree of Life” trilogy. Through the lens of eight of her captivating short stories, students will gain a profound understanding of her craft and storytelling prowess.
Chava Rosenfarb articulates in her work, “I was never a Sunday scribbler. Writing was never a mere hobby or a casual pursuit for me, intended to fill idle hours. On the contrary, it held an indispensable role in my life, akin to the very essence of life itself. It served as a sanctuary, a surrogate for existence, a means of self-confrontation, and a mode of confession. Above all, it represented a compelling necessity that imbued my life with a coherent motif, an underlying melody” (Rosenfarb, Chava. “Confessions of a Yiddish Writer and Other Essays,” p. 3, McGill-Queen’s University Press). This course is designed to conduct an in-depth analysis of Chava Rosenfarb’s profound passion for writing as expressed in her literary works.
Instructors Ula and Jan will not only provide an illuminating introduction to Chava Rosenfarb’s life and writing but also paint a vivid picture of her unique friendship with the Jewish Swedish writer Zenia Larson. The heart of the course lies in the exploration of these carefully selected short stories, including her renowned masterpiece, “Edgia’s Revenge” (1989).
Ula and Jan offer diverse perspectives, interpretation angles, and lively discussions, creating a polyphony of literary analysis. They will underscore the importance of Chava Rosenfarb’s contributions to Yiddish women’s writing within the context of contemporary literature.
The course is given in English, in collaboration with Jiddischsällskapet i Stockholm and Paideia – The European Institute for Jewish Studies in Sweden.
Course structure
Over the course of four months, from March to June, a series of eight meetings will be held at bi-weekly intervals. Each meeting will be alternately facilitated by Ula and Jan.
Teaching Methods:
- Engaging lectures and story introductions
- Dynamic and interactive discussions
- Breakout sessions for in-depth exploration and collaborative learning opportunities
Prior knowledge
No prior knowledge in the subject is required to join the course and participate in the discussion. To apply for this course, you need basic computer skills and knowledge of how to use the digital platform Zoom. The school offers Zoom manuals and a training opportunity before the start of the course.
Course material
Course material is included in the cost for this course.
About the teachers
Ula Urszula Chowaniec, dr. hab. prof. AFM Kraków University, lecturer at the Jewish Institute Paideia Folkhögskola, Stockholm and Polish language and literature at Lund University here: https://cudzoziemki.weebly.com/cv.html
Jan Schwarz, prof. Lund University, Yiddish literature and language see: https://portal.research.lu.se/en/persons/jan-schwarz
Foto: Chava Rosenfarb, the photo from the 1947 book: Di Balande fun Nekhtikn Vald.
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