Female desire in focus: breaking taboos and celebrating freedom!

Female desire in focus: breaking taboos and celebrating freedom!

On June 19, 2025, an important event entitled “The Betrayed - Female Desire between Taboo and Liberation” will take place in Haus Eden, Königstrasse 25. This panel discussion, which begins at 7:00 p.m., is part of the lecture series "Four Wins. Re-Read Thomas Mann" and marks the 150th birthday of the famous author. Admission to this event is free and is organized by the Buddenbrookhaus, the University of Lübeck and the Lübeck University of Music.

The topics of the event are as diverse as they are challenging. They concern the complexity of female sexuality as a social taboo, the misogynistic staging of female desire in art and literature, and the challenges surrounding menopause and sexuality in the context of medicine and patriarchy. At a time when questions about gender equality and identities are more urgent than ever, the discussion offers a platform for intensive debate.

Panelists and discussion focuses

An illustrious group of experts will discuss the topics. The event will be moderated by Katrin Krämer, while Marie Limbourg from Buddenbrookhaus, Katjana Zunft from Aids Hilfe Lübeck and Priv.-Doz. Dr. Katja Kauer from the University of Freiburg, who specializes in gender and diversity research, will contribute her perspectives. This diversity of voices promises a multifaceted examination of female desire and its social framework.

A significant part of the context is the development of gender studies, which research gender roles and relationships. This discipline is international in scope and has made significant progress in countries such as the USA and France. Gender studies are not defined by specific literary methods, but by their subject matter, which includes, among other things, women, femininity and gender difference. The interdisciplinary orientation combines sociology, psychology and pedagogy, which enables a comprehensive analysis of current topics.

Historical roots and concerns

The roots of gender studies lie deep in the politically motivated women's movement of the late 19th century, which vehemently advocated for women's rights, such as the right to vote and choose a career. In the 1960s and 70s, the emancipation movement continued to gain momentum, leading to the emergence of women's bookstores and specific book series. Virginia Woolf's 1929 essay “A Room of One's Own” is considered a milestone in women's studies. It addresses the exclusion of female authors from the literary canon and calls for a revision of male literary historiography.

Gender studies criticize stereotypical representations of women and highlight alternative models. They analyze how gender roles and relationships are culturally and historically determined and address the power structures that often exclude women. These insights are of central importance for questioning one's own cultural heritage and gaining new perspectives on female desire.

The event “The Betrayed – Female Desire between Taboo and Liberation” is emblematic of the ongoing discussions about gender issues. It testifies to the need to illuminate and discuss the complexity of female experiences in literature and society. The event promises not only a critical examination of Thomas Mann's legacy, but also a look at the challenges and achievements in today's gender discussion.

For further information about the event, those interested can visit the website Buddenbrook House as well as Gender Studies consult.