The diaries of German-Jewish author Lion Feuchtwanger, whose personal library and archives are part of the USC Libraries' special collections, are being published for the first time ever. The libraries' Marje Schuetze-Coburn and Michaela Ullmann co-edited the volume with Nele Holdack for Aufbau Verlag Berlin.
Feuchtwanger (1884-1958) was renowned for his deeply researched historical novels before fleeing Nazi-controlled Europe during World War II. In his exile, he eventually settled in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Pacific Palisades. His house there, Villa Aurora, hosted frequent gatherings of other exiled European artists and intellectuals.
On the evening of December 13, Villa Aurora—now maintained by the German government as a residence for visiting artists—will host a reading of selections from the diaries (in English translation) by Oliver Mayer of the USC School of Dramatic Arts. Admission is free, but RSVP via 310-454-4231 or infola@vatmh.org.