Gebt uns Bücher, gebt uns Flügel - Die Kinderbuchbrücke der Jella Lepman. A film by Andreas Steinhöfel in German

Jella-Lepman-Saal

In 1936, Jewish journalist Jella Lepman left fascist Germany. In 1945, she returned, summoned by the American military government. She is to look after the interests of German women and children as part of the democratic educational work.

Lepman quickly developed an idea: in order to prevent another catastrophe like the World War that had just ended, it was necessary to start with the children of all nations, to initiate "international understanding on a small scale". To this end, one could exhibit children's books, perhaps found a library ... Just four years later, Lepman's vision became reality. In September 1949, the International Youth Library was founded in Munich. Today, it is the largest institution for children's and youth literature in the world.

"Gebt uns Bücher, gebt uns Flügel" tells the extremely exciting story of an idea and its realization. As a woman in a military man's world, Jella Lepman had a hard time. But Lepman, persistent, determined and unwavering to the point of stubbornness, continued her ideas against all odds and self-doubt: an extraordinary woman with an extraordinary cause in extraordinary times.

A sad ORIGAMI production.

Historian Dr. Alexander Korb will speak with Andreas Steinhöfel to introduce the film.

Due to limited seating, we cannot offer any more seats, unfortunately.