Cluster of Excellence Cross-Cultural Philology

The Cluster of Excellence Cross-Cultural Philology takes a cross-cultural approach to the study of philological practices and cultural dynamics over a 5,000-year period. The cluster is one of the largest humanities initiatives funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG).

Cooperations within the Cluster of Excellence

To ensure that philological practices are researched from a global perspective, the Cluster of Excellence collaborates with multiple national and international partners.

Involved Faculties (LMU)

7 Faculties of the LMU collaborate in the Cluster.

Participating Disciplines

In addition to disciplines that are traditionally considered to be philological, other areas such as musicology and legal history also form part of the Cluster.

International Cooperation

The Cluster of Excellence cooperates with numerous renowned institutions worldwide, including Harvard University, the British Library, the Pontifical Biblical Institute, the Ben Zvi Institute, the University of Tokyo, and many more.

Current events

30 Oct

30/10/2026 Workshop „Magical Writing“
Explore magical writing practices from an interdisciplinary perspective
02 Nov

02/11/2026 Ballads as Theatre „Merch“ in Shakespeare’s London
Current questions and theories about a fascinating era
03 Nov

03/11/2026 Future of the Past – New Methods in the Humanities: Dr Barbara McGillivray
What are the challenges posed by artificial intelligence in the humanities?

Latest news

26/10/2026 Call for Papers: Buddhist Art and Epigraphic Practices Across Asia
The symposium brings together specialists working across different regions, languages, and historical periods.
21/10/2026 Cross-Cultural Philology Retreat at Kloster Beuerberg
Promising projects and intensive discussions at the Cluster’s first major gathering
30/09/2026 BRANDNEW! “Pages of History” – The Cross-Cultural Philology Podcast
With Prof. Dr. Peter Adamson through 5,000 Years of Cultural History

The Cluster will research and safeguard a significant part of the global cultural heritage, and contribute to the pressing social challenge of improving understanding and communication between cultures.

Prof. Dr. Beate Kellner, Spokeswoman of the Cluster of Excellence Cross-Cultural Philology Listen to the full interview with Prof. Kellner