Frido Mann is 80: the Proud duty of the grandson of one

was born As Frido Mann, sent his father, Michael, immediately a message to the grandfather of Thomas in Pacific Palisades. The noted in his diary: “telegram from Bibi from Carmel, in that the child, a boy, came happily to the world. The large paternity comes late and makes me a small impression.“ This reluctance has a Thomas Mann for some time. When his wife left Katia ten days later, to take the son of Gret and Michael man in the eye, it said: “Am not happy with today’s broad decision to accompany K. on your grandchildren, travel to Carmel.” It took more than a month, until he saw Frido, and for that had to come to him. Under the age of 16. September 1940 is in the diary: “arrival of Gret with the Baby Fridolin.” The little impression made; on the following day, the most personal of employment, the man for a note worthy thought is carried out: “The poodle.” But the next day the little Boy began to steal into the heart of the then sixty-five years include: “The quiet Construction of the grandchildren Bürschchens is reminiscent of old times.” He and Katia’s husband had pulled at least six children.

Andreas platthaus

editor responsible for the literature and literary life.

F. A. Z.

grandson a few came up, but Frido man should be the darling of his grandfather. When he was brought in April 1942, for the first time to the newly purchased house of Thomas Mann in the San Remo Drive, came the master of the house almost into raptures: “Delighted by the reunion with the Little one. Emerging Smile of remembrance and recognition. Alone with him in the Living Room, confident. To put to bed.“ As it was after almost two weeks of farewell, advance wandered to the thoughts of Thomas Mann already to the next visit: “The Small supposed to come at the beginning of June.”

Frido Mann was a regular guest in exile domicile of his Goßeltern, and, therefore, the house on San Remo Drive is now particularly important. In 2016, it was bought by the Federal Republic of Germany and transformed it into a residence house in the German-American exchange is maintained, but its most important Ambassador in the world, is the honorary fellow appointed Frido Mann, and not just the family aura due. With his book, “The white house of exile” he has written down in 2018, his memories of childhood in the Palisades and his Vision of the transatlantic democracy promotion effect to emanate from the guests of the now, “Thomas Mann House” – titled building, stays in the Pacific.

It is the Vision of one man, of both the American and the German citizenship, as a writer, but also as a psychologist, and on the basis of further completed studies in music and theology. All of these interests Frido Mann’s books shape, but in the “White house of exile” is the interlocking play of Political, Psychological and Cultural is a clear example. The upcoming book is intended to put these thoughts to continue. It will be called “Democracy for Future”, and thus Frido man himself will introduce a kind of diary about his impressions of America since the election of Donald Trump to be President in November 2016. Is returned to the viewing with the November 2019, as a man of a lecture tour through the United States – a political lecture tour, as they had also taken his grandfather on several occasions.

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