The German Thomas Mann Society invites you to the grand anniversary conference in Lübeck from June 5-8, 2025, commemorating Thomas Mann's 150th birthday. Thomas Mann's life was strongly influenced by the political events of the first half of the 20th century. International success and emigration made him a cosmopolitan and frequent traveler. In this anniversary year, the international conference of the German Thomas Mann Society focuses on both Mann's evolution from a loyal conservative of the Reich to a rational republican and finally to a convinced democrat, as well as his international identity. The conference does not omit his own stereotypical prejudices, from which Thomas Mann was not immune despite his mother's Brazilian descent and immigration experience, and his own migration experience. Together with the Thomas Mann International network and scholars from around the world, the conference also discusses the present and future of research as well as Thomas Mann's enduring influence that remains valid today.
DAY 1
2:00 PM
Welcome and Introduction: Thomas Mann - A Cosmopolitan of the 20th Century
Thomas Mann's life was strongly influenced by the political events of the first half of the 20th century. International success and emigration made him a cosmopolitan and frequent traveler.
Prof. Dr. Hans Wißkirchen (Lübeck),
President of the German Thomas Mann Society
2:30 PM
Lecture: Thomas Mann, Advocate of Light
War, displacement, and exile deeply impact the work of every artist and confront them with the question: To intervene or not? Mely Kiyak on the conflict between political and poetic concerns
3:00 PM
Thomas Mann International - Introducing the Network
In 2023, the "Thomas Mann International" network was established, uniting Mann locations worldwide: Buddenbrookhaus Lübeck, Monacensia at Hildebrandhaus, Munich, Thomas Mann Cultural Center Nida (Lithuania), Thomas Mann Archive at ETH Zurich (Switzerland), Thomas Mann House, Los Angeles (USA). A cultural representative from each institution will speak on the panel.
Inger-Maria Mahlke (Author) for the Buddenbrookhaus
Kerstin Holzer (Author) for the Monacensia
Dr. Holger Pils and Dr. Tobias Amslinger for the Thomas Mann Archive
Dr. Aurimas Švedas for the Cultural Center Nida
Aida Baghernejad (Cultural Journalist) for the Thomas Mann House
4:30 PM Coffee Break
5:00 PM
Thomas Mann Across All Continents
How does the international perspective on current Thomas Mann research look? How has it evolved over recent decades? Are there different research focuses and approaches across different continents?
Invited to discuss these topics are Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Galvan (Italy), Dr. James Orao (Kenya), Prof. Dr. Yasumasa Oguro (Japan), and Prof. Dr. Paulo Soethe (Brazil)
7:30 PM
At the museum shop "Buddenbrooks am Markt" (Markt 15), the Thomas Mann Society invites you to the birthday celebration. Together with you, we will toast to Thomas Mann's 150th birthday with wine and small delicacies.
