“From my perspective, democracy is seriously endangered today,
including America.”
With the original text of Thomas Mann's radio broadcast,
read by Sandra Hüller.
- Thomas Mann's Radio Address from March 1942
00:00 Min.
Historical classification
01:11 Min.
Beginning of the speech, read by Sandra Hüller
06:23 Min.
Introduction to Arne Friedrich
07:05 Min.
Commentary by Arne Friedrich
About Arne Friedrich
Arne Friedrich is a former footballer whose career includes 76 appearances for the German national team. In 2015, he founded the Arne Friedrich Foundation with the goal of "effectively helping children to improve their lives."
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.