30 September 2020 press release

Erika Mann. Cabaret Artist – War Correspondent – Political Speaker // An exhibition by the Monacensia in the Hildebrandhaus, now on display in the German Exile Archive 1933–1945 // German National Library in Frankfurt am Main // 9 October 2020 to 30 January 2021
Exhibition opening: Thursday 8 October 2020, 19:00

The German Exile Archive 1933–1945 is continuing its series of temporary exhibitions with the exhibition “Erika Mann. Cabaret Artist – War Correspondent – Political Speaker”. Curator Prof. Dr. Irmela von der Lühe will give a speech at the opening of the exhibition on 8 October 2020. Prof. Dr. Frido Mann, the exhibition’s patron, will give a brief talk on the value of democracy. The exhibition, which was created by the Monacensia in the Hildebrandhaus, will be on display at the German National Library in Frankfurt am Main from 9 October 2020 to 30 January 2021.

It portrays the life and work of Erika Mann (1905–1969). Erika Mann was a child of the Roaring 20s, an embodiment of the New Woman who enjoyed her life as the daughter of a famous family to the full. Politically, her eyes were opened by the rise of National Socialism. From then on, Erika Mann believed that political enlightenment was her mission. In January 1933, she enjoyed great success with her cabaret Die Pfeffermühle (The Pepper Mill). In March 1933, Die Pfeffermühle was forced into exile, but reopened in Zurich that same year. Next came performances in various European countries, where the cabaret’s fight against National Socialism continued despite brawls at the venues and performance bans by the authorities.

The exhibition presents biographical documents, photographs, film clips and original sound recordings. It shows Erika Mann as a formidable character who was a steadfast champion of democracy, freedom and tolerance all her life – and it motivates visitors to think about the meaning these values have for us today.

Prof. Dr. Irmela von der Lühe and the German Exile Archive have also put together a special virtual exhibition on Erika Mann to complement the physical exhibition. It will be a permanent enhancement of the “Arts in Exile” platform, a virtual exhibition that focuses on the arts in conditions of exile and is overseen by the German Exile Archive 1933–1945. The virtual exhibition on Erika Mann will be activated when the physical exhibition opens and can be viewed at kuenste-im-exil.de/ErikaMann

Erika Mann. Cabaret Artist – War Correspondent – Political Speaker
An exhibition by the Monacensia in the Hildebrandhaus, now on display in the German Exile Archive 1933- –1945
9 October 2020 to 30 January 2021

Monday to Friday 09:00 - 21:30
Saturday 10:00 - 17:30
Closed on Sundays, public holidays, and from 24 December 2020 to 2 January 2021
Admission is free.

Information on visiting the exhibition

Exhibition opening: 8 October 2020 at 19:00
(fully booked, press spaces available but must be booked in advance)

Welcome: Frank Scholze, Director General of the German National Library
“Democracy will win”, brief talk by Prof. Dr. Frido Mann, patron of the exhibition
Conversation with Prof. Dr. Irmela von der Lühe, curator of the exhibition
Host: Dr Sylvia Asmus, Director of the German Exile Archive 1933–1945
Music: Der Singende Tresen

Contact

Guided tours with curator Prof. Dr. Irmela von der Lühe:

Friday 9 October 2020 at 18:00 and 19:30
Thursday 10 December 2020 at 18:00 and 19:30
Wednesday 13 January 2021 at 14:00 and 15:30

Booking required at: www.dnb.de/eventfrankfurt

Project manager in Frankfurt: Dr Sylvia Asmus, Director of the German Exile Archive 1933–1945
Project manager at the Monacensia: Anke Buettner M.A., Director of the Monacensia
Curator: Prof. Dr. Irmela von der Lühe
Patron: Prof. Dr. Frido Mann
Exhibition design: Büro Alba, Munich

Project manager in Frankfurt: Dr Sylvia Asmus, Director of the German Exile Archive 1933–1945
Project manager at the Monacensia: Anke Buettner M.A., Director of the Monacensia
Curator: Prof. Dr. Irmela von der Lühe
Patron: Prof. Dr. Frido Mann
Exhibition design: Büro Alba, Munich

Educational service

The German Exile Archive has developed an online programme for schoolchildren to accompany the exhibition. The tour “Discover Erika Mann online” will invite 10th grade and upper secondary level pupils to get to know Erika Mann as a brave, tenacious fighter for freedom and democracy. Available from 9 October 2020 at www.dnb.de/deavermittlung

Background

The task of the German National Library’s German Exile Archive 1933–1945 is to collect publications and documents relating to German-language exile during the Nazi dictatorship. The publications include all books, brochures and magazines published by emigrants abroad between 1933 and 1950. The documents include personal legacies, archives from exile organisations and individual autographs. The German Exile Archive displays selected items from its own collection in the permanent exhibition “Exile. Experience and Testimony”. The German Exile Archive’s events and temporary exhibitions take a closer look at other themes and thus draw parallels between historic exile and current phenomena.

Images for editorial use

Press image material is only available in German.