Current events
New: Our Newsletter from the Edith Stein Archive
In recent months, we have repeatedly been asked to provide more regular updates on our work at the Edith Stein Archive. We are very pleased to respond to this request.
From now on, we will send out a newsletter approximately every 4–8 weeks, informing you about our projects, events, and other activities – in German, English, and Spanish.
If you would like to subscribe to our newsletter, you can do so in several ways:
– via the registration form on our website
– by sending a short email to kontakt@edith-stein-archiv.de
– or by clicking the button at the bottom of this page, which will take you directly to the subscription form.
We look forward to staying in touch with you.
Notice: Temporary Closure of the Archive
The Edith Stein Archive will be closed for internal reasons from April 22 to 24. During this time, visits and on-site research will not be possible.
From April 27, we will be available again as usual and look forward to welcoming you back to the archive.
Courage in the Darkness – Edith Stein and Hope
On Good Friday, a short film about Edith Stein was broadcast on Austrian television (ORF2), focusing on her thought and her witness in times of suffering and darkness.
The film presents Edith Stein as a thinker who not only experienced tensions but transformed them into something fruitful: as a Jewish philosopher who converted to Christianity and became a Carmelite nun. Her path—marked by the experience of National Socialism and an existential struggle for truth and faith—leads to a profound reflection on hope, dignity, and inner resilience.
Part of the footage was filmed at the Edith Stein Archive in Cologne. https://on.orf.at/.../feierabend-mut-im-dunkel-edith...
We warmly invite you to watch this feature.
Light in Remembrance:
An Easter Greeting from the Edith Stein Archive
Easter is the quiet promise
that even from darkness, new life can emerge.
In remembrance of Edith Stein –
whose thought and faith build bridges between worlds –
we wish you Easter light, quiet confidence,
and a heart open to the wonder of new beginnings.
May this time of resurrection accompany you –
in memory, in faith, in the present.
Warm regards,
The Edith Stein Archive
Note:
The archive will be closed from March 31 to April 7 (inclusive).
April 13, 2026 – Online Webinar
“Research in the Edith Stein Archive Cologne”
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Learn how to use the Edith Stein Archive Cologne for your research. We will provide an overview of our archive and the steps to access the valuable materials. The webinar is aimed at all researchers working on Edith Stein, regardless of their field or research project.
The webinar will take place on April 13, 2026 at 6:30 PM and will be held in Spanish. Additional sessions are already scheduled: in German on June 25 and in English on September 30.
We look forward to your participation.
International Research Group
on Edith Stein – Continuation
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In the winter semester we explored fundamental questions of phenomenology and the constitution of the meaning of the world. In the coming semester we will turn to central passages from Edith Stein’s work Introduction to Philosophy (ESGA 8) and discuss in particular questions such as the ontic structure of the psychic subject, the relationship between body and psyche, as well as the experience of the other’s psyche.
The meetings take place online via Zoom. The working language is German, but automatic translation via Zoom is available. Dates in the summer semester 2026: 25 March | 29 April | 27 May | 24 June.
All interested participants are warmly invited.
Notice on the Closure Periods
of the Edith Stein Archive
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We would like to inform you that the Edith Stein Archive will be closed from Thursday, February 12, to Tuesday, February 17. During this time, we will be working remotely and remain available via email.
We would also like to inform you that the Archive will additionally be closed from Friday, February 20, to Tuesday, February 24.
Thank you for your understanding, and we warmly invite you to visit us again after this period.
Edith Stein and the Culture of Memory
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January 27 is Germany’s official Day of Remembrance for the Victims of National Socialism. It serves as an occasion for historical reflection and a responsible engagement with both past and present.
In this context, several media contributions focused on Edith Stein and the work of the Edith Stein Archive in Cologne. An interview with Dr. Monika Adamczyk-Enriquez, Director of the Edith Stein Archive, was published on January 21 in the Kölnische Rundschau. The discussion addressed Edith Stein as a Jewish thinker, questions of memory culture, and the role of the Archive in the academic and cultural engagement with her intellectual and spiritual legacy.
On January 27, Die Tagespost revisited the topic, presenting the Edith Stein Archive and the monastery Maria vom Frieden as central places preserving Edith Stein’s manuscripts. Additionally, the debate magazine The European published an interview that highlights key aspects of the conversation from another perspective.
The articles were written by Constantin and Ulrike von Hoensbroech. The photographs were taken by Constantin von Hoensbroech.
We sincerely thank Constantin and Ulrike von Hoensbroech, as well as the editorial teams of the respective media outlets, for their thoughtful and committed engagement with the life, thought, and legacy of Edith Stein.
We warmly invite readers to explore these contributions and to reflect on this important historical and social topic.
Announcement:
International, Interdisciplinary Conference
“Phänomen der Reliquien – der heilige Leib”
(Hybrid Event)
The Edith Stein Research Center at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań and the Edith Stein Archive in Cologne invite you to participate in the international and interdisciplinary academic conference “Phänomen der Reliquien – der heilige Leib.”
The conference will take place in hybrid format (on-site and online) in two stages:
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November 27–28, 2026 – Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań
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March 4–5, 2027 – Edith Stein Archive in Cologne
The conference is addressed to researchers from various disciplines who engage with the topic of the holy body and relics from a scholarly perspective.
A detailed thematic description of the conference, as well as information on abstract submission deadlines, will be published in the Events section.
"The Way of Edith Stein" –
An Invitation to Watch
In 2024, a film crew from EWTN Chile accompanied a cinematic journey tracing the life of Edith Stein. The filming led to key places connected with her life and work. In addition to Cologne, recordings were made, among others, in Speyer, Beuron, Freiburg, Breslau (Wrocław), and Echt.
This journey resulted in the documentary The Way of Edith Stein. For some time now, it has been available on EWTN’s English-language channel, both in Spanish and in English.
The Cologne segment of the film leads to one of the most biographically and spiritually significant places in Edith Stein’s life. The cinematic approach unfolds through conversations with Father Schnippenkötter, guest researcher at the Edith-Stein-Archiv, with Dr Monika Adamczyk-Enriquez, Director of the Archive, and with Sister Mirjam Kiechle, Prioress of the Cologne Carmelite monastery Maria vom Frieden.
English version of the documentary on EWTN:
https://youtu.be/3kFEoZNqfNw
We cordially invite you to watch this documentary.
Merry Christmas
The Edith Stein Archive wishes you a blessed Christmas,
days of reflection in the light of the birth of Christ,
and a New Year sustained by God’s peace, hope, and blessing.
May the mystery of the Incarnation strengthen hearts
and open paths of faith, love, and truth.
Edith Stein Archive
Notice: The Edith Stein Archive will be closed from December 23 through January 2, inclusive.
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Review: 4th International Doctoral Colloquium
“Edith Stein’s Life and Work”
On 4 and 5 December 2025, the 4th International Doctoral Colloquium “Edith Stein’s Life and Work” took place at the Edith Stein Archive in Cologne. For the first time, the entire programme was conducted fully in a hybrid format—an important step that further strengthened the international network of Edith Stein research.
A particular highlight was the strong international presence on site: participants from Sweden, Poland, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, and Germany attended in person at the Archive. In addition, researchers from Austria, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, the United States, and Japan joined online. The hybrid format enabled intensive academic exchange regardless of geographical distance.
A total of 14 scholarly presentations were delivered in three languages (German, English, and Spanish), representing an exceptional range of disciplines: philosophy, theology, psychology, education, ontology, and aesthetics. This diversity vividly demonstrates the contemporary relevance and interdisciplinary character of Edith Stein research.
The lively discussions following the presentations once again confirmed the significance of the colloquium as an international forum for scholarly dialogue and development. We express our sincere gratitude to all presenters, international guests, and the entire organising team.
Outlook: The 5th International Doctoral Colloquium “Edith Stein’s Life and Work” will take place in March 2028.
Beginning in January 2026, selected video recordings of this year’s contributions will be available on the YouTube channel of the Edith Stein Archive Cologne.
Change in Leadership
at the Edith Stein Archive in Cologne
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As of 30 November 2025, Mr Thomas Schuld has retired. We thank him for his many years of service to the Archive and wish him all the best for the next chapter of his life.
Effective 1 December, Dr Monika Adamczyk-Enriquez assumes the leadership of the Edith Stein Archive. Dr Adamczyk-Enriquez has been working at the Archive since 2019 as a research associate and has played a decisive role in shaping numerous developments as deputy director since 2022. In recent years, the profile of the Archive has been strengthened in a sustainable way – through the modernisation of work processes, the intensification of scholarly activities, the introduction of new event formats, and the continuous support of early-career researchers.
Through her research, lectures, and international collaboration, the Archive has gained visibility and established itself as a reliable point of contact for scholars from Europe, the United States, and Latin America.
In the coming years, Dr Adamczyk-Enriquez will continue the further development of the Archive, expand its international networks, and strengthen its accessibility for research and the public.
We warmly congratulate Dr Adamczyk-Enriquez on her new role and look forward to continued cooperation.
4–5 December 2025
International Doctoral Colloquium
Edith Stein’s Life and Work
(Hybrid event)
Our international doctoral colloquium “Edith Stein’s Life and Work” is approaching. This year we are pleased to welcome doctoral students from Japan, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Poland, and other countries. The colloquium will be held in German, English, and Spanish; automatic subtitles will be available for online participants.
Today we are publishing the complete programme (see attachment). You can registe here:
https://form.jotform.com/edithstein.veranstaltungen/doktorandenkolloquium-edith-steins-
We look forward to two inspiring days of international exchange dedicated to Edith Stein.
21 November
In the Footsteps of Edith Stein (1891–1913)
(in-person lecture)
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On Friday, 21 November, at 6:00 p.m., the Edith Stein Archive in Cologne, in collaboration with the Edith Stein European Route, invites you to a special evening.
Dr. Marek Kosendiak, Vice President of the Polish Edith Stein Society, will take the audience on a journey through the places connected with Edith Stein’s family roots. In addition to Wrocław, Lubliniec, and Gliwice, particular attention will be given to cities that shed new light on the early years of Edith Stein’s life.
Location: Edith Stein Archive, Vor den Siebenburgen 6, Cologne
Time: Friday, 21 November, 6:00 p.m.
Admission is free. Voluntary donations are welcome and will be used entirely to support the photo archive project of the Edith Stein Archive.
All interested persons are warmly invited.
Great Honour – The Edith Stein Prize 2025 goes to the Edith Stein Archive in Cologne
© Towarzystwo im. Edyty Stein
On 12 October 2025 – the birthday of Edith Stein – the Edith Stein Archive in Cologne was awarded the Edith Stein Prize 2025 by the Edith Stein Society of Poland. It is a great honour for us to receive this distinction.
The award ceremony took place at the Edith Stein House in Wrocław. Unfortunately, we were unable to attend the ceremony in person due to professional commitments. However, our Deputy Director, Dr. Monika Adamczyk-Enríquez, conveyed words of gratitude on behalf of the Archive, which were read during the celebration.
Dr. Adamczyk-Enríquez will travel to Wrocław in December to receive the award in person.
We would like to thank the jury, the Edith Stein Society of Poland, as well as all friends and supporters for their appreciation of our work – and we warmly congratulate all other award recipients.
International Research Group
on Edith Stein
We are continuing our research group, which has been active since 2021. In the winter and summer semester 2025/26 we will read together Edith Stein’s “Introduction to Philosophy” (ESGA 8).
The first meeting will take place on 29 October 2025 at 6:30 pm online via Zoom. Further meetings will follow monthly: 26 November 2025 | 17 December 2025 | 21 January 2026 | 25 February 2026.
The working language is German, but automated translation via Zoom is available.
All interested persons are warmly invited.
Completed Project:
Special Issue of Steiniana
The Edith Stein Archive in Cologne served as guest editor of a special issue of the international journal Steiniana. Revista de Estudios Interdisciplinarios. This issue was published in the context of our international colloquium “Edith Stein – Life and Work” and brings together selected contributions from previous conferences.
The editorial work within the Archive was carried out by Dr. Monika Adamczyk-Enriquez. The publication was only made possible through close collaboration with the editorial team of Steiniana, who were responsible for the technical production. We warmly thank all authors for their valuable contributions that made this special issue possible. Our gratitude also goes to the reviewers, whose assessments were essential in ensuring the scholarly quality of the contributions. We also wish to thank the International Association for the Study of the Philosophy of Edith Stein (IASPES) for the generous support of this publication.
The special issue is available in Open Access:
https://ojs.uc.cl/index.php/STE/issue/view/3916/888
The volume is interdisciplinary and multilingual (German, Spanish, English, French) and explores Edith Stein’s life and work from different perspectives – biographical-theological, hermeneutical-epistolary, phenomenological-anthropological, spiritual-existential, pedagogical, and artistic.
We are very pleased to have successfully completed this project and to have made an important contribution to international Edith Stein research.
13 September 2025
Annual Open Day at the Edith Stein Archive
12:00 – 16:00
The Edith Stein Archive in Cologne cordially invites you to its Open Day. On this day, you will have the opportunity to learn more about:
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the history of the Archive’s founding,
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the rescue operation of Edith Stein’s manuscripts,
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the life and work of Edith Stein,
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our current archival work.
Visit us, take a look behind the scenes, and discover fascinating insights into the history and significance of this unique place.
We look forward to welcoming you on 13 September 2025 between 12:00 and 16:00.
4–5 December 2025
International Doctoral Colloquium
Edith Stein’s Life and Work
(Hybrid event – online and on site)
The doctoral colloquium Edith Stein’s Life and Work is taking place for the fourth time – this year, for the first time, in a hybrid format, allowing participation either on site in Cologne or online.
The aim of the colloquium is to promote international academic exchange and to open new perspectives on Edith Stein’s life, work, and thought. The event will be held in three languages: German, English, and Spanish. Doctoral and postdoctoral researchers from various disciplines are invited to present and discuss their work on Edith Stein.
The deadline for submissions is 5 September 2025. For further information and the full Call for Papers, see “read more”.
June 13, 2025
Lecture: „Edith Stein’s Göttingen“
(In person)
We warmly invite you to a lecture: L. Zanardi, together with H. Willen (representative of the Edith Stein Circle Göttingen), highlights the central role Göttingen played in Edith Stein’s intellectual and personal development. The focus is on a photographic exploration of the places where she worked: How do the streets, houses, and spaces where she lived appear today? What atmosphere do they convey?
The lecture will take place on June 13th at 6:00 p.m. in the Teresian Chapel of the Monastery "Maria vom Frieden" (Vor den Siebenburgen 6).
The event is part of the accompanying program for the exhibition "On the Problem of Empathy: A Photographic Investigation" by Lucrezia Zanardi.
In the meantime, don’t forget our other events.
Note: There are still spots available for the accompanying guided tour „In the Footsteps of Edith Stein through Cologne“ – we look forward to your registration by email at: edithstein.veranstaltungen@gmail.com
Here you can find the full program of the exhibition:
August 2–9
Edith Stein Week in the Holy Year 2025
(in person at the Convent Maria vom Frieden)
The Edith Stein Week 2025 invites you to a time of silence, prayer, and spiritual deepening – inspired by Edith Stein’s own path into the Cologne Carmel during the Holy Year 1933. Together with the sisters of the Convent "Maria vom Frieden", we will shape these days in the tradition of Carmelite spirituality. At the heart of the week are daily prayer times:
Daily Prayer (August 2–9):
4:30 PM – Silent Holy Hour
5:30 PM – Vespers or Evensong
Special schedule on Monday, August 4:
3:30 PM – Silent Holy Hour
4:30 PM – Vespers
5:30 PM – Holy Mass
The week opens with a musical prelude on Sunday, August 3, at 6:00 PM in the convent church: The A.D.E. Trio concert invites us to enter into depth, spirituality, and contemplation through music, amidst silence and prayer.
A highlight of the week is the lecture by Sister Mirjam Kiechle OCD, Prioress of the Cologne Carmel, on Friday, August 8, 2025, at 6:00 PM, under the title: „Meine Sehnsucht nach der Wahrheit ist mein einziges Gebet“.
On Friday, August 8, and Saturday, August 9, the exhibition by Lucrezia Zanardi will be open for the last time, from 3:00 to 5:30 PM: "On the Problem of Empathy: A Photographic Investigation."
Our address: Convent "Maria vom Frieden", Vor den Siebenburgen 6, 50676 Cologne.
June 6, 2025
Lecture: "Encounters that Lead Further –
Edith Stein and Bergzabern"
(In person)
We warmly invite you to a special lecture: Dr. Joachim Feldes, Secretary General of the International Association for the Study of Edith Stein’s Philosophy, will take us on a search for traces in the southern Palatinate. He will shed light on Edith Stein’s time in Bergzabern and how her experiences there strengthened her path toward clear, unbiased thinking and faith.
The lecture will take place on June 6 at 6:00 p.m. in the Teresian Chapel of the Monastery “Maria vom Frieden” (Vor den Siebenburgen 6).
This event is part of the accompanying program of the exhibition “On the Problem of Empathy: A Photographic Investigation” by Lucrezia Zanardi.
June 7, 2025
Guided tour "In the Footsteps
of Edith Stein through Cologne"
(In person)
We warmly invite you to the city tour: "In the Footsteps of Edith Stein through Cologne." On Saturday, June 7, Dr. Joachim Feldes, Secretary General of the International Association for the Study of Edith Stein’s Philosophy, will guide us to well-known and hidden places in Cologne connected to the life and work of Edith Stein.
The tour begins at 10:00 a.m. at St. Severin Church and ends in the afternoon at the Church "Maria vom Frieden". It takes place in two parts: from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. A participation fee of €5 will be charged; any public transportation costs are not included. To secure your participation, please register by email at: edithstein.veranstaltungen@gmail.com
The tour is part of the accompanying program to the exhibition "On the Problem of Empathy: A Photographic Investigation" by Lucrezia Zanardi.
May 16, 2025
Preview of the Exhibition:
"On the Problem of Empathy..."
and Lecture: The Edith Stein House
– Identity and Memory of the Place
(In person)
We cordially invite our friends, supporters, and all interested parties to the exclusive preview of the exhibition "On the Problem of Empathy: A Photographic Investigation." The artist Lucrezia Zanardi will be present to give insights into her work.
Program of the Exhibition Preview:
16:00: Opening of the exhibition with a guided tour
17:30: Vespers
18:00: Lecture: The Edith Stein House – Identity and Memory of the Place (Speaker: Dr. Anna Siemieniec, Edith Stein House Wrocław).
The preview of the exhibition as well as all events related to the exhibition will take place at the Kloster "Maria vom Frieden," Vor den Siebenburgen 6, 50678 Cologne.
May 24, 2025
Symposium and Workshop: „Shaping Time: Rethinking Archives Through Photographic Practice“
(In person)
As part of the exhibition “On the Problem of Empathy – A Photographic Investigation” by Lucrezia Zanardi, the Edith Stein Archive invites you to a one-day symposium followed by a workshop. The program focuses on the intersection of photography, archival work, artistic research, and curatorial practices across historical boundaries.
The symposium with the subsequent workshop will take place on May 24, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in the Theresien Chapel of the Monastery “Maria vom Frieden” (Vor den Siebenburgen 6, 50676 Cologne). The symposium is open to the public. Participation in the workshop is limited to 20 people. Registration is required.
From May 16 to August 9, 2025
Exhibition: "On the Problem of Empathy: A Photographic Investigation" by Lucrezia Zanardi
(In person)
From May 16 to August 9, 2025, the exhibition "On the Problem of Empathy: A Photographic Investigation" by Lucrezia Zanardi will be on display at the "Maria vom Frieden" Church (Vor den Siebenburgen 6). In this exhibition, the artist engages with the phenomenological ideas of Edith Stein, particularly the concept of empathy. Photographs and archival material invite visitors to interactively explore perception, memory, and philosophy.
An accompanying program with lectures, discussions, and guided tours will also be offered – we warmly invite you to participate.
Invitation to the Lecture on
the 90th Anniversary of Edith Stein's Profession
On behalf of the "Maria vom Frieden" Monastery, we cordially invite you to a special lecture on Monday, April 21, in celebration of the 90th anniversary of Edith Stein's profession.
P. Dr. Ulrich Dobhan OCD, a renowned expert on Edith Stein's life and works, as well as a translator of Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross, will provide deep insights into Edith Stein's life in the Cologne Carmel.
Starting at 4:00 p.m., he will not only explore her spiritual development but also delve into the mystical dimension of her writings. Additionally, he will shed light on the profound connection between her inner life and the charismatic spirit of the Carmel.
We greatly look forward to your participation in this special event!
New Project at the Edith Stein Archive:
Digitization and Preservation of the Edith Stein Photographic Archive
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In the past, we successfully carried out a project for the digitization and restoration of the manuscripts. Now, we are taking another important step: our new project is centered on the digitization and preservation of the photographic collection.
The photographs provide unique insights into Edith Stein's biography, her family, and her contemporaries, and they are of invaluable historical significance. We have already secured some of these precious documents and are now beginning to systematically digitize and archive the entire photographic collection. This will facilitate access and ensure the long-term preservation of Edith Stein's legacy for research and the public.
We invite you to follow our posts. We will regularly update you on the progress of the project and share extraordinary materials that provide an invaluable source of knowledge on the life and work of Edith Stein.
Merry and Blessed Christmas from
the Edith Stein Archive in Cologne!
In this special time of the year, we would like to sincerely thank you for your loyalty, interest, and support over the past year. May the light of Christmas bring you peace and hope, filling you with love and reflection.
The Edith Stein Archive is grateful to contribute to the unfolding of Edith Stein's thoughts and her legacy. We look forward with anticipation to the coming year and hope for more inspiring encounters and profound conversations.
May the new year be filled with beautiful moments, health, and joy for you.
Blessed Christmas and a happy, fulfilled New Year!
Your Edith Stein Archive Cologne
Online Book Presentation of the Book
“Kompetenz- und Persönlichkeitsbildung:
Phänomenologischer Zugang zu einem personenorientierten Kompetenzverständnis“
(Online Event)
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We cordially invite you to the online book presentation by Markus Arthur Holti! He will present his new book „Kompetenz- und Persönlichkeitsbildung: Phänomenologischer Zugang zu einem personenorientierten Kompetenzverständnis“. The book discusses the pedagogical approaches of Edith Stein, with her phenomenology as the guiding principle. The work can be placed within a phenomenological educational science and shows how societal expectations of education can be linked with personality development. The language of the event will be German (there is an option to enable automatic translation into English via the Zoom program).
The online book presentation will take place on January 9th at 7:00 PM.