150 years of Thomas Mann
Davos celebrates the birthday of "The Magic Mountain" author
150 years of Thomas Mann
In 2025, the 150th anniversary of Thomas Mann's birth was celebrated. Davos commemorated this special anniversary with a year full of events. In 2024, the focus was on the 100th anniversary of his novel "The Magic Mountain." The celebrations then turned to the life and work of the author himself. Numerous events took place at the Schatzalp and the Waldhotel – locations closely linked to his story.
Thomas Mann, born on June 6, 1875, is one of the most important writers of the 20th century. Although the famous German author died in 1955, his legacy lives on in Davos and in the cultural and literary scene. His stay in Davos and the experiences of his wife Katia, who was a patient at the former Waldsanatorium (now the Waldhotel), inspired him to write "The Magic Mountain" – a novel that lent Davos literary significance.
Events in honor of the author
With books such as "Buddenbrooks," "The Magic Mountain," and "Doctor Faustus," he shaped world literature and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1929. Thomas Mann's legacy is celebrated with numerous events. Readings, exhibitions, and discussions shed light on his life and work are scheduled at the Schatzalp, the Waldhotel, the Davos Cultural Center, and other cultural institutions. With two focal points, "100 Years of The Magic Mountain" in autumn 2024 and "150 Years of Thomas Mann" in spring and summer 2025, Davos will be the center of remembrance for one of the greatest authors of his time for an entire year.
Event highlights: Costume ball on the Schatzalp and selfie wall
With a costume and masquerade ball on June 7, 2025, at Schatzalp, the era in which "The Magic Mountain" was written came to life at its original setting. Guests were invited to dress in elegant 1920s costumes and immerse themselves in the novel's time. Those who wanted to experience the age of Thomas Mann, even just for a brief moment, could visit the Selfie Wall throughout the summer. Visitors could dress up with period accessories and take photos with the author. Until the beginning of June, the Selfie Wall was located in the Local History Museum, after which it could be found at other locations and events commemorating Thomas Mann.
Thomas Mann and “The Magic Mountain”
In 1912, Thomas Mann first came to Davos, where his wife Katia was being treated for tuberculosis at the Waldsanatorium (now the Waldhotel). He thus experienced the spa treatments at Schatzalp and the Waldsanatorium firsthand. Inspired by the place and its atmosphere, the future Nobel Prize winner published "The Magic Mountain" in 1924, which is considered a masterpiece of the 20th century. Although it was initially met with criticism, "The Magic Mountain" is now a novel that has become an integral part of international literary art. "The Magic Mountain" not only made Davos an even more famous resort, but also a place of literary significance with a reach beyond the German-speaking world.
