“It is the voice of a friend. [...] The voice of a Germany that showed the world
a different face and will show it again, rather than the hideous Medusa mask
that Hitlerism has imposed on it. It is a warning voice.”
- Introduction to Thomas Mann's Radio Addresses
00:00 Min.
Thomas Mann about the Radio Addresses
00:40 Min.
Excerpts from the Commentary
02:08 Min.
Introduction by Jakob Scherer
03:16 Min.
Introduction to the Radio Addresses
04:35 Min.
Thomas Mann's letter to Agnes Meyer, read by Sandra Hüller
04:57 Min.
Historical Context
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.