"An Appeal to Reason"

WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 25, 2025 – The Goethe-Institut Washington, Thomas Mann House Los Angeles, USC Libraries, and the USC Dornsife Center for Advanced Genocide Research will host "An Appeal to Reason: A Celebration of Democracy, Freedom, and Culture" on May 10, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the USC Capital Campus Auditorium in Washington, D.C. A reception will follow the program.

This timely and thought-provoking event is inspired by the 150th birthday of Nobel Laureate Thomas Mann, the renowned German writer whose enduring legacy offers critical insights into today's global challenges concerning democracy, freedom of expression, and the profound influence of literature.

“In our planning, we have drawn inspiration from Mann's impactful life and works, including his speeches delivered during his U.S. exile as Consultant in German Literature at the Library of Congress,” says Klaus Krischok, Director of the Goethe-Institut Washington, Regional Director North America. "But ’An Appeal to Reason’ will use Mann as a lens to engage attendees in vital conversations about the current state of democracy, the importance of freedom of expression, and the significant role of literature in contemporary society.”

Dr. Oliver Hartmann, Director of the Thomas Mann House Los Angeles adds, “As a pivotal figure in the intellectual resistance against Nazi Germany, Mann's powerful orations, including The War and the Future (1943), Germany and the Germans (1945), and Goethe and Democracy (1949), continue to resonate deeply with the those who advocate for global democracy. This event will explore the enduring relevance of his ideas and their connection to present-day challenges on both sides of the Atlantic.”

The program will feature a distinguished lineup of participants, including:

• Azar Nafisi – New York Times bestselling author (Reading Lolita in Tehran, Read Dangerously: The Subversive Power of Literature in Troubled Times)
• Clint Smith – New York Times bestselling writer, poet, and scholar (How the Word is Passed, Above Ground)
• Daniel Ziblatt – Political scientist and author (How Democracies Die, Tyranny of the Minority)
• Hans Rudolf Vaget – Literary scholar and leading Thomas Mann expert
• Kimberly Marteau Emerson – Attorney, advocate, and human rights leader
• Summer Lopez – Co-CEO and Chief Program Officer at PEN America
• Kokayi – Grammy-nominated artist and musician
• Renea S. Brown – actor, writer, educator

Attendees can expect a dynamic program featuring panel discussions, insightful lectures, and engaging artistic presentations, including a recital and an innovative sound artwork by Grammy-nominated musician Kokayi. "An Appeal to Reason" aims to cultivate a multi-faceted dialogue on the crucial intersection of literature, politics, and freedom, all inspired by Thomas Mann's timeless influence.

Event Details
Date & Time: May 10, 2025 | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM, reception to follow
Location: USC Capital Campus Auditorium, Washington, D.C.
Admission: Free
Accessibility: The venue is ADA compliant, with ASL interpretation provided by Pro Bono ASL.
Registration link: https://appealtoreason.eventbrite.com