Lübeck celebrates 150 years of Thomas Mann: Literary dialogue begins!

Lübeck celebrates 150 years of Thomas Mann: Literary dialogue begins!

A special literary event will start in Lübeck on June 19, 2025 on the occasion of Thomas Mann's 150th birthday. As part of the Lübeck hoch 3 (LH3) project, four-person podiums will examine the Nobel Prize winner's stories in detail as part of the discussion format "Four in a row. Re-read Thomas Mann". This series of events is supported by renowned institutions, including the Buddenbrookhaus, the Heinrich and Thomas Mann Center, the University of Lübeck and the Lübeck University of Music. The first date on June 19th at 7:00 p.m. in Haus Eden, Königstraße 25, will be about the story “The Betrayed”, moderated by Katrin Krämer and accompanied musically by the singer Sarah Sieprath and her companions.

The series of events, which lasts until late autumn, aims to promote dialogue with society. Other topics covered include “Mario and the Magician” on July 17th, “Death in Venice” on October 30th and “Tonio Kröger” on November 27th. THOMAS MANN not only offers literary treasures, but also current topics such as female desire and social taboos for discussion, which is particularly relevant today. This is also the aim of Lübeck hoch 3, to make a contribution to the social debate through exchanges on these topics, lecture series and discussion events, as the organizers emphasize.

Entry and participation

Admission to the events is free, but you must arrive early as seating is limited and entry is granted from 6:30 p.m. The opening speech will be given by Professor Gabrielle Gillessen-Kaesbach from the University of Lübeck, who will certainly provide interesting insights into Mann's life and work. The evenings are accompanied musically by students from the University of Music under the direction of Jakob Rieke, which underlines the cultural wealth of Lübeck.

In addition, Thomas Mann will also be remembered in Frankfurt am Main next year: his 150 years and the 70th anniversary of his death will be honored through a variety of events, including readings and discussions. Among other things, there will be a reading about the correspondence between Thomas and Heinrich Mann as well as his speeches against National Socialism. Initiatives like this show that Mann's work remains timeless and relevant and is generating great interest in both Lübeck and Frankfurt.

The role of Thomas Mann

The engagement with Thomas Mann is as diverse as his own work. The writer not only shaped German literature, but also addressed social issues that continue to stimulate discussions today. The focus on his works also makes it possible to shed light on questions of identity, gender and society, which remain of great importance in current times. The events in Lübeck and Frankfurt are an expression of Thomas Mann's living legacy and invite everyone interested to actively participate in the dialogue.

The anticipation for the first conversations and the musical interludes is increasing, ensuring a colorful and stimulating program that reinterprets Mann's works. So we can't wait to see what the panelists at the first event, including Marie Limbourg and Katjana Zunft, have to offer. With a good knack for interesting questions and in-depth discussions, the project could be a real asset for the Lübeck cultural scene.

For more information about the event, take a look at the official pages: HL Live, Lübeck to the power of 3 and Frankfurt Community Foundation.