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

16 Nov

16/11/2026 Das Dekret Burchards von Worms. Revision, Transmission, Edition
The lecture will be held in German.
17 Nov

17/11/2026 Prof. Ricarda Bauschke (Düsseldorf): Lyrik(er) am Hof Bonifaz' I. von Monferrat: Raimbaut de Vaqueiras, Peire Vidal, Gaucelm Faidit und Walther von der Vogelweide
A talk on the fascinating question of how literature travels. The talk and masterclass will be held in German.
19 Nov

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21 Nov

19/11/2026 - 21/11/2026 Text, Tradition, and Transformation in Late Antiquity and the Early Modern Period: Intertextual Practices in Comparison
Understanding cultural change

Latest news

11/11/2026 The construction of gendered professional identities in sumerian didactic literature, ca. 1800 BCE
A lecture on the question on how professions in ancient Mesopotamia were linked to gender roles
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

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