Between science and culture: ‘Green recitations’ - a literary evening at the Tropenhaus Kleve
Green thinking, poetically told
Since its opening in 2012, the Tropical House, one of Rhine-Waal University's architectural and scientific attractions, has established itself as more than just a centre for teaching and research. Over 2,900 square metres of teaching and display gardens simulate the climate of tropical regions, allowing exotic plants such as cocoa and cinnamon to thrive. But the Tropical House is far more than just a place of science - it also invites people to meet and be inspired.
On Wednesday, 20 November 2024, the Tropical House at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences was transformed into a place of poetic reflection where the relationship between humans and nature is expressed in literary words. The evening, entitled ‘Green Recitations’, attracted numerous interested visitors to the Tropenhaus. The 50 seats in the seminar room were quickly filled, so that additional visitors took a seat on benches in the neighbouring corridor to take part in the event.
The evening centred on literary works by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Heinrich Heine, Gottfried Benn and Jan Wagner, which told of flowers, herbs, trees and vegetables. The recitations, performed by Dr Klaus Cordes and Thomas Brokamp, both members of the Fontane Circle, brought the texts to life and opened up deeper perspectives: What is man's relationship to nature? Where does the idyll end?
The sensitive art of recitation was complemented by musical interludes from saxophonist Adrian Schabbel, who enriched the atmosphere of the evening with his sounds. The tropical backdrop of the greenhouse created a very special atmosphere. Plant arrangements and the splendour of the flowers provided the perfect setting for the poetic reflections and inspired those present to reflect on the relationship between man and nature. With its unique blend of literature, music and nature, the evening was a reminder that the world can be experienced not only through scientific measuring instruments, but also through words and sounds.
Participation in this and many other events at the Tropenhaus is uncomplicated: Admission is often free and registration is not required. Just come, listen, see and feel - that was the motto of the evening, which not only delighted literature lovers, but also those who wanted to escape everyday life for a moment. With events such as the ‘Green Recitations’, the Tropenhaus shows how inspiring spaces can be created at the interface of science and culture. Where tropical greenery confronts the grey of November, the view opens up beyond the boundaries of the everyday - into poetic observations of nature and a reflection on togetherness that defies mere utilitarian thinking.