November 14

Born in Iași, Romania, Fondane moved to Paris and became a vibrant voice in European intellectual circles. He published poetry and critical essays exploring existential themes influenced by Lev Shestov. Fondane engaged with Surrealist and avant-garde movements, contributing to literary journals of the 1920s and 1930s. His works include reflections on art, philosophy, and the human condition, blending poetic insight with philosophical inquiry. Despite his rising reputation, he was arrested during World War II and tragically perished in a Nazi concentration camp.

Babette Babich (born November 14, 1956) is an American philosopher, author and professor specializing in continental philosophy, aesthetics and the philosophy of science. After earning her Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, she taught at Fordham University and later at the University of Vienna. Babich’s research explores the intersections of Nietzsche, Heidegger and postmodern thought, with a focus on art, technology and animal studies. She has authored numerous books including 'Nietzsche's Philosophy of Science' and 'The Hallelujah Effect: Philosophical Reflections on Music'. Babich serves on editorial boards for several academic journals and regularly presents at international conferences. Her interdisciplinary approach and engaging writing style have made her a leading voice in contemporary continental philosophy.