Dr. Volker Mertens

Biography

Volker Mertens is a distinguished professor specializing in older German literature and language. He received his doctorate at Würzburg in 1967 and habilitated there in 1976. Mertens has held several prestigious positions, including professorships at the Free University of Berlin since 1977 and guest professorships in international locations such as Olomouc, Peking, Amiens, and Bloomington. His research interests encompass topics like courtly literature, medieval epic and lyric poetry, and the reception of medieval literature in the context of 19th and early 20th-century works, focusing heavily on figures such as Richard Wagner. Mertens has published extensively, with noteworthy monographs and editions addressing themes of German romance and the transformation of medieval texts in modern contexts. His scholarly contributions have shaped contemporary understanding of medieval studies, emphasizing the importance of performing arts in understanding historical literary forms. He has also supervised numerous academic theses and has been active in leading seminars that bridge literature and historical performance.

Research Interests

Experience