Karl Marx is here, don't miss him

Chennai: For the many fans and followers of Karl Heinrich Marx, and for those who hated him for his political philosophy and economic theories, here’s a great chance to ‘meet up’ with the man. Since 2018 marks the 200th birth anniversary of the German philosopher-sociologist-journalist-economist (he was born 5 May 1818), Goethe-Institut Chennai is paying tribute to the 19th century thinker by organising three delightful events in celebration.

The ‘Experts Talk/Presentation’ at 7 pm on Saturday will have renowned economist Prof Venkatesh B.Athreya, author of ‘Marxian Political Economy: An Introduction to Capital Vol.1’, trying to answer the question, ‘Does Marx matter today?’

Teaming up with him, CPI national executive member C. Mahendran will speak on the impact of Marx’s philosophy on the development of political and economic thought in Tamil Nadu.

Same time the following day, ‘The Young Karl Marx’, the much-talked-about 2017 film directed by Haitian filmmaker Raoul Peck, will be screened. The 118-minute movie portrays the manner in which Marx wrestled with questions that still plague the world today. This multilateral drama focusing on his formative years 1843-48, traces the development of his friendship and intellectual partnership with Friedrich Engels and also tells a personal story about the beginnings of Marxist theory and the formation of The Communist Manifesto.

“The film is an interesting indication of how vital Marx and his ideas have remained for the cinema, many years after his death” ,said Goethe-Institute Chennai in a release.

The third event, happening on May 7 at 4.30 pm, is the launch of a set of 20 volumes of Tamil translations of ‘Marx&Engels-Selected Works’, being brought out by the New Century Book House. The selected works span the diversity of their contributions to philosophy, political economy and critical theory; making this not only one of the most significant historical documents of the 19th century but also a testimony to an intellectual friendship of rare intensity.

FRG Consul General Achim Fabig is the guest of honour at this launch, where senior Communist leaders R.Nallakannu and D. Pandian are among the speakers.