Audio guide 014

Oskar Maria Graf’s scandalous lecture wearing Lederhosen
Graf was invited to hold a lecture at the Cuvilliés Theatre on the occasion of the city’s 800th anniversary celebrations. He came to Munich from the USA for this purpose. Back in Germany for the first time after 25 years in exile, Graf insisted on wearing traditional Bavarian leather trousers – which had become his trademark even in the USA after all – instead of a suit, even at the theatre. It was only after Lord Mayor Wimmer intervened that he was finally permitted this transgression. Erich Kästner cancelled his laudatory speech as a result, and the first row of seats, which had been reserved for the city’s dignitaries, remained empty.
Felicitas Timpe, 22 August 1958