Biberach an der Riß

Biberach an der Riß has a distinctive place in the German reception of Shakespeare through Christoph Martin Wieland. In 1761 the local Komödienhaus presented The Tempest in his translation and under his direction, an early landmark in German-language Shakespeare performance. Wieland's connection with the town continues to be explored through its literary institutions and educational projects.

His satire Des Esels Schatten also has a visible presence in the market square. Peter Lenk's donkey monument, installed in 2000, draws on the work's characters and themes. Surrounded by historic town houses, the sculpture brings an Enlightenment text into a contemporary public setting. Biberach's presentation of Wieland therefore extends beyond commemoration, connecting literature with theatre, teaching and debate about the uses of public art.