The Erich Maria Remarque Peace Center, opened in 1996, operated by the City of Osnabrück and established with project funds from the Niedersachsen Foundation, houses the Erich Maria Remarque Exhibition as a permanent presentation on the life and work of the Osnabrück-born author of All Quiet on the Western Front, as well as the Erich Maria Remarque Archive with the connected Research Center for War and Literature.
Erich Maria Remarque – Life, Work, Impact
Erich Maria Remarque (1898–1970) is among the most famous and widely read German authors of the 20th century. With his novel All Quiet on the Western Front, he gave millions of people a voice after World War I – those young soldiers whose dreams were shattered in the drumfire of the front. His books made him world-famous, but his pacifist commitment and free spirit also made him a target of criticism, censorship, and exile.
The permanent exhibition "Independence – Tolerance – Humor" is dedicated to this fascinating life between success and exile, literature and joie de vivre. It offers an impressive tour through Remarque’s biography and works – with over 400 exhibits, including handwritten manuscripts, personal documents, photographs, letters, first editions, and unique original objects.
All exhibition texts are bilingual (German/English) and make Remarque accessible to an international audience.
Seven Chapters of an Extraordinary Life
The exhibition follows Remarque’s life path in seven thematically organized stations that reveal the major turning points in his life:
Childhood and Youth in Osnabrück (1898–1921)
In his hometown, Remarque grows up in simple circumstances. The First World War, in which he is drafted at the age of 18, leaves a lasting impression on him – his later works are testimonies to this traumatic experience.
The Hanoverian and Berlin Years (1922–1928)
After the war, Remarque tries to establish himself – as a teacher, journalist, and advertising copywriter. During this time, he develops his literary style, which translates his experiences into a clear, poignant language.
World Success and Controversies Surrounding All Quiet on the Western Front (1928–1930)
The novel becomes an international bestseller overnight – and simultaneously a political issue. While readers worldwide react moved, nationalists condemn the work as "un-German." The exhibition displays original prints, reviews, and rare film footage from the legendary 1930 film adaptation.
Years of Exile in Europe (1931–1939)
Remarque is defamed in Germany, and his books are burned. He spends time in Switzerland and France. During this phase, works like The Road Back and Three Comrades are created, telling of friendship, loss, and the search for stability.
Flight to the USA (1939–1948)
With the start of the war, Remarque emigrates to New York. There, he establishes himself in the exile community and works on novels like Love Your Neighbor and Arch of Triumph. The exhibition impressively documents his life in exile – between homesickness and the desire for artistic freedom.
Political Voice of the 1950s
After the war, Remarque becomes more committed to peace and humanity. His works like The Black Obelisk critically address the aftermath of National Socialism and reflect his pacifist stance.
The Later Years in Locarno (1960–1970)
In Switzerland, Remarque finds peace and inspiration. His last novels are created here, and he maintains close friendships with artists, writers, and his wife, Paulette Goddard. He dies in Locarno on September 25, 1970 – his estate remains a source of intense research to this day.
A Man of Contradictions
Remarque was many things at once: a melancholic observer and passionate bon vivant, a sensitive pacifist and a sharp critic of social violence. The exhibition shows this man in all his facets – including the inner tensions that accompanied him. Private letters and diary notes reveal his doubts, his longings, and his conflicts with fame and the public.
Special exhibits like his death mask, his original desk, personal items, or portraits of famous contemporaries make the encounter with Remarque an impressive experience.
Remarque Worldwide
To this day, Remarque’s work has not lost its relevance. His novels have been translated into over 65 languages and reach a global audience of millions. A dedicated exhibition area is devoted to this international impact:
Listening stations offer insights into audiobooks of his works in over 20 languages.International musical adaptations show how Remarque´s texts inspire artists worldwide.Monitors present modern film and video interpretations, including current new film adaptations and documentaries.
