Das Max Kade Center for German-American Studies an der University of Kansas zeigt vom 14. August bis 15. September, 2023 die Wanderausstellung Thomas Mann: Democracy Will Win.

*Die Wanderausstellung sowie Veranstaltungen im Rahmen der Ausstellung werden auf Englisch konzipiert. Erfahren Sie mehr zur Ausstellung in deutscher Sprache hier*

The exhibit explores the trajectory of Mann’s political development in relation to different categories such as personal background, Zeitgeist, his poltical commitments, actions and responsibility. Viewers are invited to interrogate their own beliefs and paths alongside those of Thomas Mann. A series of film clips connects these different topics with ongoing debates and critical moments in contemporary history such as the 2017 Charlottesville riot, the Black Lives Matter Movement, climate change mitigation, and the global refugee and immigration crises.

There will be an opening reception on Wednesday, August 23rd at 4:30pm held in Room 150 of the Joseph R. Pearson Hall, located at 1122 West Campus Road, Lawrence KS 66045. Max Kade Center Director Marike Janzen will give opening remarks followed by Brad Allen, the Executive Director of the Lawrence Public Library, who will speak on the role that public libraries and institutions play in local democracy. The event is open to the public. “Although the exhibit channels the intellectual ideas of Thomas Mann, his questions about democracy and democratization are nationally and globally relevant during this historical moment. It is hard to look at the war in Ukraine and not see it as a battleground for democracy too,” said Ani Kokobobo, Professor and Chair of KU’s Department of Slavic, German, and Eurasian Studies.

The Max Kade Center for German-American Studies is part of the Department of Slavic, German, and Eurasian Studies. The Center aims to collaborate with the Kansas University campus and community to promote the teaching and research of German-speaking people in the United States and beyond. The Kansas University Max Kade Center houses significant collections of books, archives, and artworks related to German Americans, including local history of the Lawrence Turnverein.

Attendance information

The exhibition will be available for viewing in the Max Kade Center for German-American Studies located at 1134 W 11th St, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Viewing will be available on:

Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (CDT)

Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (CDT)

Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (CDT)

To arrange a class or special visit, please email mkc@ku.edu.

An exhibition by Villa Aurora & Thomas Mann House e. V., in cooperation Literaturhaus München, the German Federal Foreign Office, and the Max Kade Center for German-American Studies.