Thomas Mann: Mario und der Zauberer

This event presents a reading or performance of Thomas Mann's novella "Mario und der Zauberer" (Mario and the Magician), a story set in Italy that explores themes of authoritarianism and mass psychology. Attendees can expect an evening that brings Mann's incisive social commentary to life, reflecting his reputation as a keen observer of the European soul.

Thomas Mann, the 1929 Nobel Prize laureate, is celebrated for his epic novels like Buddenbrooks and The Magic Mountain, as well as his shorter works such as Death in Venice. His writing often delves into the psychology of the artist and the intellectual, using symbolic narratives to critique society. This event offers a chance to experience one of his compelling novellas in a live setting.

The performance takes place in Berlin, a city with deep connections to Mann's life and work. Mann lived in Munich for many years but fled Germany after Hitler's rise to power, becoming a prominent figure in Exilliteratur. This context adds depth to the exploration of his story about the seduction of power and the resistance of the individual.