Dr. Olaf Kühl is a distinguished scholar and preeminent literary translator whose work has profoundly shaped the German reception of Slavic literature. Born in 1955 in Sanderbusch/Kreis Friesland, he pursued rigorous academic training in Slavistics, Eastern European History, and Contemporary History at Freie Universität Berlin, establishing a foundation for his exceptional career bridging cultural divides. He earned his doctorate in 1995 with a groundbreaking dissertation on Witold Gombrowicz's prose, demonstrating his early commitment to bringing Eastern European literary voices to German readership. Since 1982, Dr. Kühl has maintained an illustrious career as a translator while serving as Russia advisor to the Governing Mayor of Berlin since 1996, showcasing his dual expertise in literary and political spheres. His longstanding affiliation with the University of Greifswald's Slavistics Institute reflects his enduring commitment to academic excellence and cultural exchange.
Dr. Kühl's transformative contributions to literary translation span four decades and encompass works from Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, and Serbo-Croatian into German, with particular emphasis on seminal authors including Witold Gombrowicz, Adam Zagajewski, Andrzej Stasiuk, and Dorota Masłowska. His meticulous translations have not merely transferred texts across languages but have fundamentally enriched German literary culture by introducing previously inaccessible Eastern European perspectives, earning him widespread recognition as a cultural ambassador between linguistic worlds. The significance of his work was formally acknowledged through prestigious awards including the Karl-Dedecius-Preis in 2005 and the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis in the same year, cementing his reputation as a master of his craft. His innovative approach to translation extends beyond linguistic accuracy to capture the nuanced cultural contexts and literary styles of original works, setting new standards in the field that have influenced generations of translators. Additionally, his 2008 novel Tote Tiere, born from a research expedition to Siberia supported by the Robert Bosch Foundation, demonstrates his creative engagement with the cultural landscapes he has dedicated his career to exploring.
Beyond his translation work, Dr. Kühl has established himself as a vital connector within the international literary community through his founding of the Ost-West-Büro (OWB) for Eastern Europe consulting and translation, which has facilitated countless cultural exchanges and professional collaborations. His leadership extends to mentoring emerging translators through workshops in Germany and Poland, ensuring the continuation of high-quality literary translation between German and Slavic languages for future generations. Recent engagements at the University of Greifswald, including participation in the 2023 Festival of Polish Culture where he collaborated with author Dorota Masłowska, demonstrate his ongoing active contribution to academic and cultural discourse. Dr. Kühl's recent novel Der wahre Sohn (2013) and continued translation projects underscore his enduring creative vitality and relevance in contemporary literary circles. His work remains indispensable for understanding the rich tapestry of Slavic literature and continues to shape cross-cultural dialogue between Germany and Eastern Europe.
