Kaspar Hauser, Child of Europe

“From time to time in the history of humanity, extraordinary individualities appear, carrying with them great tasks which are difficult to assess. Through this lens, the events around Kaspar Hauser (1812–1833) can be seen as signposts to one of the most important mysteries of modern times, which will radiate far into the future. Kaspar’s appearance and the essence of his being are deeply connected with the question of the identity of the human being itself.” (from the foreword)

This book offers a unique, creative approach to the mystery of Kaspar Hauser—the teenage boy who was found abandoned on the streets of Nuremberg, barely able to walk, speak, or write. Introducing the subject with a historical overview, Eckart Böhmer offers multiple artistic approaches to understanding the enigma of Kaspar Hauser’s brief and tragic life. He presents poems from his cycle I not human, I Kaspar, a short story entitled “Crossing the Border,” and a play about Hauser’s mentor, “Feuerbach, or an Example of a Crime against the Human Consciousness Soul.” These are followed by transcripts of two lectures held during the Kaspar Hauser Festival in New York, which reflect on esoteric research during the last twenty years. The volume concludes with short meditations followed by an interview with the author on his biographical connections to the theme. 

Inspired by the Kaspar Hauser Festival in Ansbach and the Kaspar Hauser Research Circle, this valuable book offers many imaginative gems for deeper contemplation.