"IN THE JUNGLE OF RELATIONSHIPS." BRECHT, CASPAR NEHER AND THE WEST GERMAN POST-WAR CULTURAL INDUSTRY

Abstract

The article deals with little-known or unknown facts from the biography of Bertolt Brecht in the first post-war decade, when he began to be transformed into an icon in the art of the German Democratic Republic. But in reality, the writer, as throughout his life, continues to look for different ways to realize his own creative plans and popularize his work in both parts of Germany: in socialist East Germany and in capitalist West Germany. Bertolt Brecht resumes quite active cooperation with Caspar Neher. This talented artist, with whom Bertolt Brecht had been friends since his youth and had a number of successful theater projects before Brechts emigration in 1933, not only did not leave Germany after the Nazis came to power, but also continued to work with theaters and after 1945 quickly became successful in West Germany, which was "an enemy" to the GDR's cultural policy. This is one of several examples of Brecht's unexpected creative collaboration, which goes beyond the narrow framework of his reception as a purely socialist author and demonstrates the importance of his primary task of achieving success in theatre, rather than ideological correctness. In the post-war years, Brecht was ready to deal even with partially compromised artists. This contradicts the widespread and simplified and idealized image of the author as a supporter of communism.