Davos celebrates 150 years of Thomas Mann

In honor of Nobel Prize winner Thomas Mann, Davos 2025 will be the stage for a unique cultural year. Numerous events, such as interactive tours, time travel with VR headsets, and readings from his books, will honor the life and work of the world-famous author. Thomas Mann first visited Davos in 1912, when his wife Katia was cured of tuberculosis in the Waldsanatorium (now the Waldhotel). Thomas Mann's literary output brought Davos international prominence. In 2024, the focus was on the 100th anniversary of his novel "The Magic Mountain." Now the celebrations turn to the life and work of the author himself. "With these anniversary events, we are creating a cultural monument to one of the most important writers of the 20th century and bringing his story back to the place he shaped," says Christoph Luzi, Head of the Cultural Department of the Municipality of Davos. The mix of tradition and innovation is particularly important to the organizing team: "We want to bring the magic of Thomas Mann's Davos to life – not just through traditional readings, but also with creative formats such as a VR dinner or the masked ball on the Schatzalp," says Luzi, looking ahead to the second part of the double anniversary in Davos.

Journey to the time of the "Magic Mountain"
The 2025 anniversary summer kicks off on June 7 with a historical costume and masked ball on the Schatzalp – a place steeped in history that served as inspiration for Thomas Mann's novel "The Magic Mountain." Guests will immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the 1920s, with music, dance, and stage performances. A selfie wall with period props invites visitors to interactively reminisce, initially in the local history museum, and later at other locations in Davos.

A cultural year honoring a world-renowned literary figure
In addition to the main attractions, the anniversary year offers a wide-ranging program: readings, exhibitions, lectures, and themed tours explore Thomas Mann's work. Innovative formats such as a virtual reality dinner entitled "Being Thomas Mann" offer an immersive experience of his world. Film screenings and discussions round out the literary cultural year in Davos.