Carl Zuckmayer and his young family moved to Henndorf am Wallersee (Flachgau). The community has become his place of longing and occupies a special place in his biography. It is obviously the happiest time in his life: from 1926 to 1938 Carl Zuckmayer lived in Henndorf with his wife Alice and two children. Later he wrote about the years of abundance, dying before the literary figure who was just 30 years old.

Privately owned mill

The former Zuckmayer’sche Wiesmühl has been privately owned for half a century. Wiesmühl resident Johanna von Schöning said: “Zuckmayer’s spirit is present here in this house and especially at the table I love to sit at.” Zuckmayers, who run an open house with an impressive guest list – from writers to conductors, stage and film-makers and thinkers from all over the world.

Prominent guests from all over the world

Wichard von Schöning, a Wiesmühl resident, says you can’t list all of the guests: “Gehard Hauptmann, Stefan Zweig – the really big guys in the 1920s and 1930s were here and went in and out here – the man already in this house. “Thomas Bernhard, Arturo Toscanini, Ödon von Horvath, Marlene Dietrich and many, many more are here to visit.

Escape from Nazis in the USA

The Anschluss of Austria in March 1938 brought the years in Henndorf to an abrupt end. Zuckmayer criticizes the Nazis, and his grandmother has Jewish roots. The family emigrates to the USA via Switzerland. Johanna von Schöning describes it as an escape in the middle of the night: “Before that, you celebrated and drank here and then suddenly disappeared. At first they may not have noticed that he gets up and leaves because everyone will go out at some point – but that was this great departure for him. “

Exhibition shows photos and documents

Carl Zuckmayer’s Bunte Welt in Henndorf is dedicated to the local literary house exhibition with first editions of his works, countless photos and documents. From a literary point of view, it is the most productive time of his life. Gabriele Dau from the Henndorf Literature House: “Zuckmayer certainly brought a lot of life and also a lot of glamor to the village. He was a great networker you would say today. He was a poet, nature lover – just someone who could quickly connect with people. “

International success

In addition to his best-known works such as “Der Hauptmann von Köpenick” and “Des Teufels General”, Carl Zuckmayer became internationally famous through the script for the “Blue Angel” with Marlene Dietrich through the literary scene. An overwhelming success that continues to this day. The writer gave the opening speech at the Salzburg Festival in 1970. He died in Switzerland in 1991 and is buried there. The Carl Zuckmayer exhibition in the Henndorf Literature House can be seen until May 31.