“As a child, or as a young person, it was clear to us that our city had been destroyed
because those other cities had been destroyed by the Germans.”
With the original text of Thomas Mann's radio broadcast,
read by Sandra Hüller.
- Thomas Mann's Radio Address from April 1942
00:00 Min.
Historical classification
01:13 Min.
Beginning of the address, spoken by Thomas Mann
06:51 Min.
Continuation of the address, read by Sandra Hüller
07:21 Min.
Introduction to Annett Gröschner
08:26 Min.
Commentary by Annett Gröschner
About Annett Gröschner
Annett Gröschner is a writer, journalist, and performer. Her work includes novels, poetry, features, and documentary literature, which often deal with the city of Berlin and its history.
About the Project
“Hell, Germans, has come upon you.” Thomas Mann’s message in his radio addresses to the German people—recorded by himself and broadcast by the BBC between 1940 and 1945—was always clear, unyielding, and uncompromising. So too was his mission: the total of 58 addresses constitute a unique document of resistance against the National Socialist regime of terror and a resolute plea for humanism and democratic renewal. They were also a failed wake-up call to a country that had surrendered itself to delusion and to complete destruction.
On the occasion of Thomas Mann’s 150th birthday, the BBC radio addresses were newly recorded by actress Sandra Hüller. Thirteen outstanding contemporary voices from politics, academia, and culture comment on them, enter into dialogue with Mann’s texts, and discuss their relevance today.