The Manns - A Literary Family
"What an amazing family we are! Later there will be books written about us -- and not only about individual members."
Klaus Mann (1936)
There is likely no other family, consisting of so many brilliant men and women with extremely varied artistic temperaments, which has shaped its epochs as the Mann family has. The brothers Heinrich and Thomas Mann mark the beginning of this literary tradition and Thomas Mann's children, Klaus, Erika and Golo Mann, have continued it up to the present day. Not to be forgotten are the women of the family, among whom Thomas Mann's wife, Katia, stands out.
The history of the Mann family represents a chapter of German contemporary and cultural history. Time and again in recent years, the "amazing family" has challenged not only literary critics but also historians, family sociologists and film makers to carry out detailed analyses. You'll find the first complete exhibition devoted to the Mann family in the Buddenbrookhaus. Beginning with the divergent authors and brothers, Heinrich and Thomas Mann, their ancestors, siblings and partners, the exhibition covers the period from their contemporaries to their descendants in six individual stations.
A tour of the exhibit begins with the ORIGINS (I. HERKUNFT) of the Mann family. The Hanseatic tradition on the paternal side of the family stands in contrast to the Brazilian lust for life on the maternal side. The brothers' early years were characterized by life in two different worlds. Parts of the Lübeck period include their somewhat erratic attendance at their hated school and their enthusiastic visits to the theater. This was followed by the early death of their father, which prompted a critical change in the brothers' lives. Their father's company was liquidated and two years later, their mother, Julia, moved to Munich with her three youngest children.
The following station shows Thomas' and Heinrich's DEPARTURE (II. AUFBRUCH) from their hometown of Lübeck. The years between 1892 and 1905 were determined by an aimless life of wandering that eventually led the brothers to Italy. Constant changes of address and contact with Munich bohemian circles characterize this period. That constant feeling of restlessness is reflected in the literary productions of both Heinrich and Thomas Mann.
The extensive station LIFE’S JOURNEYS (III. LEBENSWEGE) covers a period of 25 years and shows Thomas Mann as a father and representative German author and the politicisation of Heinrich Mann. Their different lifestyles and each one's compulsion to artistically distinguish himself from his brother finally led to the temporary break between them. The station documents the fraternal dispute from outset to reconciliation and permits a look into the Mann's family life.
The center of the exhibition is the section titled SUFFERING UNDER GERMANY (IV. LEIDEN AN DEUTSCHLAND), which shows the time of exile and the development of the German authors into world citizens. When the situation in Germany worsened in 1933 with the Nazis' assumption of power and the persecution of critical voices assumed alarming proportions, the Mann family turned their backs on Germany. The years in exile were spent in France, Switzerland and, from 1938, in the USA. Whilst Thomas Mann, whose prestige steadily increased, moved in an elite circle of intellectuals, Heinrich Mann led a secluded life, dependent on his brother's financial support. Thomas as well as his children Erika and Klaus used their creative talents to shed light upon the situation in Germany.
The following section of the exhibition is titled FAREWELLS (V. ABSCHIEDE), and covers the years from 1949 to 1955. In 1949, Klaus Mann committed suicide in Cannes. Heinrich Mann died in 1950 shortly after he had decided to leave America and return to Germany. Thomas and Katia Mann left the United States, not to go to Germany, but to Switzerland. Shortly before his death, Thomas Mann made his final visit to Lübeck, where he was made an honorary citizen of the Hanseatic city. Thomas Mann died in Zurich on August 12, 1955.
The TRACES (VI. SPUREN) of the Mann family in the present day conclude the tour. The generation of grandchildren of the former extended Mann family live scattered around the world. The literary works of the Manns have also left their traces. Numerous works by Heinrich, Klaus and Thomas in particular have been made into films and have reached a wide audience. Memorials and research facilities in historic locations are being established in increasing numbers.