Monacensia hosts book launch on publisher Franz Burda and his media empire

The Monacensia in the Hildebrandhaus in Munich is hosting the launch of a new book on the publisher Franz Burda on Wednesday, 30 September, at 7pm. The book is titled "The Man for the Colourful: Franz Burda and His Media Company". Admission is free, but registration is required by email to [email protected].

Franz Burda (1903–1986) got in early when the rise of radio began to take shape in the mid-1920s. Starting from the radio listings magazine Sürag, he built up a business that continued to grow during the Nazi era and after the war became a printing and publishing group. Today it is one of the largest media companies in Germany.

After political conformity under the "Third Reich", profits from "Aryanisation" and skilful manoeuvring during the occupation period, Burda supplied the young Federal Republic with millions of copies of colourful entertainment, sewing patterns and mail-order catalogues. The magazine Bunte emerged from the competition among illustrated magazines in the 1950s as a lasting success. Burda Moden, run by his wife Aenne, played a major part in shaping the clothing style of the era, and with the annual Bambi awards the Burdas secured a place in the history of German television entertainment.

The editors, Norbert Frei, Tim Schanetzky and Sybille Steinbacher, use Burda's biography to uncover the political core of a "colourful" form of entertainment that took hold under three political systems. The book also offers a fresh look at the media, social and cultural history of the "old" Federal Republic.

The evening will be moderated by Bettina Musall. The Monacensia is organising the event in cooperation with the publisher C.H. Beck.