Thomas Mann – In the Burning Landscape of Democracy

Monday, 12/8/2025 – Thursday, 1/15/2026

Event location
Immatrikulationshalle

Public event

Target audience
students, employees, publically

Presenter
TUM Center for Culture and Arts

In 2025, we will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Thomas Mann's birth. His novels and stories have long been considered classics of German literature. But what about his speeches and essays defending democracy and opposing the Nazi regime, totalitarianism and dictatorship? They are more relevant than ever!

What does Thomas Mann have to say to us today?

Thomas Mann – In the Burning Landscape of Democracy. Life. Politics. Present

On the occasion of Thomas Mann's 150th birthday, the TUM Center for Culture and Arts and Thomas Mann Forum Munich e.V. are realizing a unique, interdisciplinary project focusing on Thomas Mann's commitment to democracy and his courageous resistance against the Nazi Regime – and what we can learn from this in the ‘burning landscape’ of our present day.

The project is held under the patronage of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

The overall project comprises four interlinked components:

an exhibition at the TUM-Immatrikulationshalle (December 8 - January 15),
an academic symposium (November 3),
an accompanying publication
the guest performance "Zauberberg :: Expedition in die Gegenwart", an immersive VR theater production (early 2026, date tba).
an accompanying programme

The overall project is supported by the TUM University Foundation and the Bavarian State Parliament. We would like to thank the Carl Friedrich von Siemens Foundation for hosting the symposium.