Internationale Ernst-Wiechert-Gesellschaft

The Internationale Ernst-Wiechert-Gesellschaft e.V. (IEWG) is a German literary society dedicated to the German writer Ernst Wiechert (1887–1950). It was founded on 25 May 1989 and brings together more than 160 members from 13 nations. Its stated aims are both to spread Wiechert's works and to encourage scholarly engagement with them. The society is a member of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Literarischer Gesellschaften und Gedenkstätten (Working Group of Literary Societies and Memorials). The IEWG organises a literary conference roughly every two years, with participants from several countries; the most recent took place in 2019 in Mülheim/Ruhr, addressing specific themes in Wiechert's work and milieu. Additional events were held in 2020 to mark the 70th anniversary of Wiechert's death. Members also present Wiechert's work at events and readings. In terms of publishing, the society issues the "Ernst-Wiechert-Briefe" two to three times a year, the IEWG-Mitteilungen every two years (the most recent being No. 19 in 2022), and the "Schriften der IEWG" series, which contains larger collections of scholarly contributions to Wiechert research (seven volumes to date according to the German Wikipedia; the official website mentions eight volumes, the eighth published in 2025 for the 75th anniversary of Wiechert's death). Since 2017 an Ernst-Wiechert Archive has been under construction in Zwiefalten in the district of Reutlingen (Baden-Württemberg), intended to enable scholarly work. The society's website notes that Wiechert's books can still build bridges between people, peoples and cultures, and serve understanding with people in Poland and Russia, where memory of important early stations of the poet's life is maintained.

The Internationale Ernst-Wiechert-Gesellschaft e.V. (IEWG) was founded on 25 May 1989 as a literary society devoted to the German writer Ernst Wiechert (1887–1950). Wiechert was one of the most widely read authors of the first half of the 20th century and is counted among the classics of German literature; some of his books became bestsellers upon first publication, were part of school reading, and were translated into numerous languages. The society was established to preserve and promote this legacy. Since its founding, the IEWG has grown into an international body with more than 160 members from 13 nations. It is a member of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Literarischer Gesellschaften und Gedenkstätten, the umbrella organisation for literary societies and memorials in Germany. The society's core activity is the organisation of literary conferences, held irregularly, roughly every two years, with participants from several countries. These conferences address specific themes in Wiechert's work and its context. The most recent conference took place in 2019 in Mülheim/Ruhr. In 2020, the 70th anniversary of Wiechert's death, additional events were held. Members also present Wiechert's work at public events and readings. Publishing has been central to the IEWG's mission. It issues the "Ernst-Wiechert-Briefe" two to three times a year (spring, summer, winter), the IEWG-Mitteilungen every two years (the most recent being No. 19 in 2022), and the "Schriften der IEWG" series, which publishes larger collections of scholarly contributions to Wiechert research. According to the German Wikipedia, seven volumes had appeared; the official website states that eight volumes have appeared, with the eighth published in 2025 for the 75th anniversary of Wiechert's death. Since 2017, an Ernst-Wiechert Archive has been under construction in Zwiefalten in the district of Reutlingen (Baden-Württemberg), intended to enable scholarly work on the author. The society emphasises that Wiechert's books continue to build bridges between people, peoples and cultures, and can serve understanding with people in Poland and Russia, where memory of important early stations of the poet's life is maintained.

• 2025

  Eighth volume of the Schriften der IEWG published for the 75th anniversary of Wiechert's death.

• 2022

  IEWG-Mitteilungen No. 19 published.

• 2020

  Additional events mark the 70th anniversary of Wiechert's death.

• 2019

  Literary conference held in Mülheim/Ruhr.

• 2017

  Construction of the Ernst-Wiechert Archive begins in Zwiefalten.

• 1989

  IEWG founded on 25 May 1989.

A membership-based literary society and scholarly publisher devoted to the legacy of Ernst Wiechert, operating internationally and affiliated with Germany's literary society network.

• Schriften der IEWG

  Book series publishing scholarly contributions to Ernst Wiechert research; eight volumes to date according to the official website.

• IEWG-Mitteilungen

  Periodical published every two years; most recent No. 19 in 2022.

• Ernst-Wiechert-Briefe

  Newsletter published two to three times a year (spring, summer, winter).

1. 1Official websiteernst-wiechert-international.de
2. 2Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3German Wikipediade.wikipedia.org