The Max Kade Center for German-American Studies at the University of Kansas will host our touring exhibition Thomas Mann: Democracy Will Win from August 14th to September 15th.

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 on display at the Max Kade Center for German-American Studies located at 1134 W 11th St, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Times

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.