Thomas Mann Lectures
The new lecture series "Thomas Mann Lectures" aims to address fundamental and current issues arising from the work of Thomas Mann.
As part of this freshly launched program, once a year an internationally renowned personality in literary studies will be invited to ETH Zurich. The lecture series is aimed at both the interested public and a scientific audience.
The Thomas Mann Lectures will start off with Prof Dr Russell A. Berman, Professor of Comparative Literature and German Studies at Stanford University. The Lecture is titled "Thomas Mann – Literature and Freedom" In his lecture, starting with the contrasting pair of artist-citizens Russel explores the question of how bourgeois society has to do with culture, how the freedom of art affects political freedom, and which threats to freedom exist today.
The lecture flips through Thomas Mann's complete oeuvre and focuses in the current context on Thomas Mann as a writer of freedom in non-free time.
The first Thomas Mann Lecture takes place:
Wednesday, 13 December, 18.00 to 19.00 followed by an aperitif
Main building of ETH Zurich, Rämistrasse 101,Semper Aula, G60
Registration is requested by 30 November by email to or by phone +41 44 632 40 45.
The Thomas Mann Lectures are offered by the Thomas Mann Archive together with the Chair of Literature and Cultural Studies at ETH Zurich.