Literature festival on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the book burning: "Hamburg reads burnt books"

One of the darkest chapters in German history. Hamburg commemorates the book burning during the Second World War with a literature festival.

The famous quote by Erich Kästner: "Books, we now know, cannot be burned" is the leitmotif of the "Hamburg reads burnt books" festival. From 10 May to 10 June, the victims of the National Socialist oppression and persecution of intellectuals will be commemorated here, in particular the "Action against the Un-German Spirit". The festival celebrates the literature of authors who were ostracized and persecuted by the Nazis 90 years ago.

Books that are read in Hamburg

Hamburg commemorates the book burning during the Second World War with the festival: "Hamburg reads burnt books". © KerstinBittner/Imago/Symbolbild

It is still depressing that 90 years ago, young people convinced of National Socialism burned books at the stake. But the numerous events are intended to remind us to resolutely stand up against all forms of racism and right-wing ideas and to raise our voices where necessary.

Among others, Julia Kemp, actress at the Hamburg Ohnsorg Theater, will read from Irmgard Keun's key novel "The Artificial Silk Girl", the internationally renowned Kästner expert Sven Hanuschek will introduce the political Kästner and the author Johann Voß will read "Nothing New in the West" by Erich Maria Remarque.

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The first magazine of the Masters of the Illustration program is dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the burnt books. It contains graphic narratives, reports, portraits, site observations, graphic searches for clues and illustrated questions that not only commemorate the events of that time, but also sharpen the view of current political and social developments and participate in the current discourse on freedom of expression. The magazine can be purchased on a donation basis in the exhibition "Fireproof – Illustrations and Animations of the Book Burnings of 1933" in the exhibition room of the Hamburg State and University Library Carl von Ossietzky (Stabi).

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Illustration as a medium has an important role to play in preserving collective memories. Students of the Illustration course have thus brought the authors of burnt works to life. Figures were created from polymer clay, felt and papier-mâché, depicting well-known people of contemporary history such as Erich Maria Remarque and Mascha Kaléko, but also almost forgotten personalities such as Grete Berges from Hamburg. In addition, photographic portraits of the figures were developed. In addition to the creation of figures, it was also about the construction of props, objects, sceneries and atmospheres that capture and remember the authors in their essence. The figures and photographic portraits can be seen in the exhibition "feuerfest" (until 18.6. in the exhibition room of the Hamburg State and University Library Carl von Ossietzky (Stabi)).

This article was created with the help of machines and has been carefully reviewed by editor Jessica Bradley prior to publication.