Comparative Perspectives on Literary Travel Motifs in Contemporary Jewish Literature of Germany, Israel and USA - Interview with Nadja Samira Fraenkel (Heidelberg University)

Nadja Samira Fraenkel (Heidelberg University) in conversation with Sinan Barış Yaşar (HGGS)

- How does the travel motif shape narratives in third-generation Jewish literature? - What are the differences between physical and metaphorical journeys? - Can language serve as a space for belonging and identity?

In this conversation, Nadja Samira Fraenkel from Heidelberg University discusses her PhD research on comparative perspectives of literary travel motifs in contemporary Jewish literature from Germany, Israel, and the USA. She explores the complexities of identity, the role of travel in shaping experiences, and the search for belonging and utopia within these narratives. The discussion also highlights the significance of language, the challenges faced by third-generation Jewish authors, and the political dimensions of art and literature.

Timeline (00:00) Intro (00:24) Introducing Nadja Samira Fraenkel and Her Research (04:48) Exploring the Concept of Travel in Literature (07:46) Travel Motif and Identity Politics in Jewish Literature (12:12) The Search for Utopia in Travel Narratives (15:54) The Third Generation of Jewish Authors (23:55) Methodology in Comparative Literary Studies (27:24) Language as a Space for Belonging (33:02) The Role of Social Challenges and Counter Narratives in Jewish Literature (43:31) Labels and Individuals (45:25) Art, Identity, and the Political Nature of Creativity (51:52) Outro

Keywords Jewish literature, travel motives, identity politics, comparative literature, contemporary authors, diaspora, utopia, third generation, literary analysis, cultural studies