Lesefestival antifaschistische Literatur: Der »Erste Internationale Schriftstellerkongreß zur Verteidigung der Kultur«, Paris 1935. Mit Florian Kappeler

Paris, June 1935: About 250 writers from 38 countries gathered for the “First International Writers’ Congress for the Defense of Culture.” The discussions centered on social and cultural ideas for societal change, with German speakers particularly focused on drawing lessons from the defeat of 1933, developing strategies for the anti-fascist struggle, and uniting writers of various persuasions through a shared remembrance of the humanist cultural heritage. Florian Kappeler describes the congress as a media event whose impact stemmed not only from the speeches but also from the practices of interaction and organization. He outlines its background and aftermath and asks what lessons from 1935 still hold relevance today.