Editorial

Dear friends of Schirmer/Mosel Publishers,

The year 2025 lies ahead of us. Two wars are occupying the world’s attention: Russia’s war against Ukraine and Israel’s war with its neighbors provoked by Hamas. Until the guns falls silent, times are bleak. For those affected and those watching times are bad, producers of books, authors and publishers included. Where is the interest supposed to come from when attention is focused on the wickedness of warfare? But let’s not give up hope. One day, hopefully not too far away, human reason will prevail, as history tells us.

The year 2025 holds pertinent memories featured in an epochal photo book we are publishing to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the world from the scourge of National Socialism. The actual “Victory in Europe Day“ will be celebrated on May 8, 2025, but commemorations will be held before and after in quick succession, starting with the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp on January 27. Our book begins with this event followed by the fall of Dresden; Hitler’s suicide; Germany’s surrender; the invention of the atomic bomb, its first dropping on Hiroshima on August 6 and Japan’s surrender; and it ends with the start of the Nuremberg Trials on November 20. 1945 – Photo-Ikonen eines Jahres assembles the historic events in a kaleidoscopic series of pictures taken by great photographers.

Another spring release is the unlimited public edition of Waits/Corbijn ’77–’11. Long-awaited by fans, it features the cooperation between Anton Corbijn and Tom Waits. Of special interest to the literary public is photographer Isolde Ohlbaum’s long-term portrait of Peter Handke. Of special potential for the book trade, both publications are at the center of our spring program.

However, 2025 holds notable cultural anniversaries as well, reflected in our program and worthwhile of book trade activities:

 – On March 8, Anselm Kiefer will be celebrating his 80th birthday. How about a display window presenting his oeuvre published in Schirmer/Mosel books?

 – Anton Corbijn will be 70 on May 20. His Schirmer/Mosel book classics continue to be in print, along with Waits/Corbijn ’77–’11 (see above).

 – Rainer Werner Fassbinder would be 80 on May 31. His films and those of his star actress Hanna Schygulla are well documented in Schirmer/Mosel books. How about a special display window to mark the occasion?

 – Last but not least, I will be 80 myself on February 1, 2025. Maybe you want to dedicate a display window to Schirmer/Mosel Publishers?

Thank you for the pleasant cooperation over the past years. I wish you ongoing success with our Schirmer/Mosel books, old and new.

Best regards,