New Hans Sachs Research Center at the University of Siegen
The Nuremberg master shoemaker and poet Hans Sachs left behind more than 6,200 texts - including over 200 plays. Sachs is considered the most prolific poet of the 16th century with universal knowledge and interest: For example, he had a very good overview of the politics, theology and literature of his time. At the same time, he had a better command of the German language than almost anyone else. In this way, he was able to put even complex content into simple and understandable language and make it accessible to craftsmen and merchants. A new joint research project by the Universities of Siegen and Marburg is now dedicated to Hans Sachs' theater. The project is being funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) with 2.6 million euros.
"Today, most people only know Hans Sachs from the Wagner opera 'Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg' and less through his own works. In fact, the majority of Hans Sachs' work has not yet been researched at all. Our aim is therefore to create a basis for research to focus more on Hans Sachs again," says Prof. Dr. Hans Rudolf Velten from the University of Siegen, who is leading the project together with his Marburg colleague Prof. Dr. Nathanael Busch.
Additional knowledge components for each piece
A new, cross-location Hans Sachs Research Center is being set up in Siegen and Marburg. Together, the researchers are creating a comprehensive, critical and annotated new edition of Hans Sachs' theatrical works - including all tragedies, comedies, carnival plays as well as thematically related master songs and proverbs by the prolific poet. In addition to explanations of the terms used in each play, the commentaries also provide a context for its creation as well as additional information, for example about where and how the play was performed. In future, the new edition will be available both in printed form with an accompanying electronic resource and digitally.
"Great opportunity" for the researchers
The project started at the beginning of 2026 and will run for 7.5 years. The funding sum of 2.6 million euros will be divided equally between the two locations. The University of Siegen will receive around 670,000 euros for the first three-year funding period. Two new positions for junior researchers will be created in Siegen as part of the project. "It is relatively rare for the DFG to approve such long-term projects. We are therefore very pleased about this great opportunity," says Prof. Velten.
Hans Sachs is exciting for many disciplines
The researchers hope that the new edition will raise public awareness of Hans Sachs' literary significance. The study of Sachs, the 450th anniversary of whose death was celebrated in January, offers important impulses for German studies, but also for history, theology and the history of knowledge, says Velten: "Hans Sachs was a political man. He sided with the Reformation early on and, alongside Martin Luther, wrote the best German of his time. At the same time, he was an expert on the literary scene in Europe and mastered all genres himself. The study of Hans Sachs is therefore extremely stimulating for many disciplines."
