Film & reading: Celebrate Thomas Mann's legacy at the Literaturhaus Wiesbaden!

Film & reading: Celebrate Thomas Mann's legacy at the Literaturhaus Wiesbaden!

On June 18, 2025, a special event will take place at the Literaturhaus Villa Clementine in Wiesbaden, which will be dedicated to Thomas Mann and his famous work “Buddenbrooks”. This is the film screening of the ARTE documentary "Buddenbrooks. Thomas Mann and Lübeck", which offers exciting insights into the origins, conflicts and settings of the family novel. The documentary, created by Hartmut Kasper and André Schäfer, celebrates the writer's 150th birthday.

As early as 1901, the publication of “Buddenbrooks” caused outrage in Mann's hometown of Lübeck. His impressive story about the gradual decline of a family later established Thomas Mann as one of the most important writers of the 20th century. This recognition culminated when he received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1929 for his literary achievements. Wiesbaden is alive reports that the documentary also addresses questions about the connection between man and his characters and the timeless relevance of his work.

Experts in conversation

The event in Wiesbaden starts at 6:30 p.m. and entry costs 12 euros. The talkative experts who have their say in the documentary include Caren Heuer, who runs the Buddenbrookhaus, literary critic Volker Weidermann and dramaturg John von Düffel. They will help shed light on the connection between reality and fiction in Mann's work.

Following the film screening, the historian and author Tilmann Lahme will read from his biography “Thomas Mann. A Life”. At 8 p.m. there will be a reading that will take a further look at Mann's life and creative phases. Lahme describes the writer as a seeker who was repeatedly torn between bourgeois life and art.

Insights into Thomas Mann's life

Thomas Mann, born on June 6, 1875 as the second of five children, attracted attention early on with his literary works. He was not only a master of the novel, but also a prolific author of short stories and essays. At the age of 22, during a stay in Italy, he began working on his most famous work, “Buddenbrooks,” which he completed in 1901 and which later achieved bestseller status. In addition to “Buddenbrooks”, numerous other important works such as “Doktor Faustus” and “Lotte in Weimar” are part of his oeuvre, which occupies an important place in world literature.

However, his life path took him not only through literary heights, but also through political turbulence when he had to emigrate in 1933 due to the National Socialists' seizure of power. Despite the odds, Mann achieved recognition and continued success until his death on August 12, 1955. Wiesbaden.de and Contents.de offer further information about his fascinating life and work.

The event in Wiesbaden promises to be an unforgettable evening, where not only the impressive documentation will be shown, but literary insights into the life of one of Germany's greatest writers will also be given. Anyone interested in the connection between history and literature should definitely not miss this event!