27 March 2019 press release

Oskar Maria Graf: Rebel, global citizen, storyteller // The German Exile Archive 1933–1945 presents an exhibition by the Literaturhaus München (Munich House of Literature) in collaboration with the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek and the Monacensia in the Hildebrandhaus // German National Library in Frankfurt am Main // 4 April to 7 September 2019

Exhibition opening: Wednesday, 3 April 2019, 19:00

The German Exile Archive 1933–1945 is continuing its programme of temporary exhibitions with the exhibition "Oskar Maria Graf: Rebel, Global Citizen, Storyteller". To mark the exhibition's opening on 3 April 2019, the curators Karolina Kühn and Laura Mokrohs will provide an introduction to the exhibition, and the actor Jochen Nix will read from a selection of Graf’s writings. Developed by the Literaturhaus München in collaboration with the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek and the Monacensia in the Hildebrandhaus, the exhibition will be open to visitors at the German National Library in Frankfurt am Main from 4 April to 7 September 2019.

The exhibition presents the Bavarian poet Oskar Maria Graf (1894–1967) as an international, cosmopolitan and yet rebellious author. The focus is on Graf’s life and work during his years in exile and the question of what constitutes the "true home".

From 1933 to 1938, Graf lived in Vienna and Brno before emigrating to New York, whose diversity and vitality he loved. At the same time, he maintained his links with "home", particularly through his language but also through his appearance: he never stopped wearing his traditional Lederhosen, even on Fifth Avenue. As an author of global literary repute, Graf wrote his most famous works while in exile – texts of great relevance in today’s global political climate and well worth re-discovering.

The show has been adapted to the exhibition premises in Frankfurt with the addition of documents from the collections of the German Exile Archive 1933–1945 at the German National Library. These exhibits provide insight into the help and solidarity found in exile: Oskar Maria Graf submitted the manuscript for his novel "The Life of My Mother" for a literary competition held by the American Guild for German Cultural Freedom in 1938. Graf was a scholarship-recipient of this aid organisation while also working on behalf of exiled authors.

The archive of the German Academy in Exile / American Guild for German Cultural Freedom contains revealing documents pertaining to this. Oskar Maria Graf was writing letters of support even while caught up "in the turmoil of departure". Sylvia Asmus will present these collections during the opening event.

Oskar Maria Graf: Rebel, global citizen, storyteller // The German Exile Archive 1933–1945 presents an exhibition by the Literaturhaus München (Munich House of Literature) in collaboration with the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek and the Monacensia in the Hildebrandhaus

4 April to 7 September 2019
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11:00–18:00
Wednesday 11:00–20:00
Closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Admission is free.

Exhibition opening: 3 April 2019, 19:00

Reception and introduction to the Frankfurt exhibition: Ute Schwens, director of the German National Library Frankfurt am Main; Dr. Sylvia Asmus, director of the German Exile Archive 1933–1945
Introduction: Karolina Kühn and Laura Mokrohs, curators of the exhibition

Readings from Oskar Maria Graf’s writings: Jochen Nix, actor
Musical accompaniment: Vassily Dück, accordion

Guided tours

Friday 10 May 2019 at 15:00 (with curator Karolina Kühn)
Friday 14 June 2019 at 15:00 (with curator Laura Mokrohs)
Additional tour dates: Tuesday 16 July, 13 August and 3 September, at 18:00 respectively

Background

The task of the German Exile Archive 1933–1945 of the German National Library is to collect publications and records of the German-speaking exile during the period of Nazi dictatorship. Such publications include all books and brochures published by German-speaking emigrants abroad between 1933 and 1950, from the fields of literature, politics, science and Jewish emigration, as well as any journals published by exiles. The records include personal estates of German-speaking emigrants from all specialist areas and professional groups, archives from exile organisations and single autographs.

Contacts