Brechts Hus, Skovsbo Strand, Svendborg, Fyn (Funen), Denmark

Brecht's House, Skovsbo Strand, DK-5700 Svendborg, 3 km west of Svendborg

Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956) lived in exile in Denmark where he moved from Prague, Zurich and Paris. In 1933, Brechts accepted an invitation from Helen Weigel's old colleague Karin Michaelis to settle in Denmark. They arrived on Thurø and two months later moved into a house on Svendborg Sound on the island of Funen, known as the "garden of Denmark". This would be the residence for the Brecht family until 1939. During these six years, Brecht travelled to Copenhagen, Paris, Moscow, New York and London for various projects, as many German refugees like Walter Benjamin would also pay visit to Brecht's temporary home.

Whilst in exile in Denmark, Brecht wrote some of his most famous stage plays such as Mrs. Carrar's rifles, Mother Courage and her children and Galileo's life. During this time, Brecht also wrote his collection of poems entitled Svendborg's Poems.

In the 1990's Svendborg Kommune began restoring Brecht's House. Today it is a residence and an inspiring workplace for artists and researchers from around the world. The thatched, half timbered house is offered to people who need, for a period, a peaceful and quiet place for their artistic or scientific work.

Brecht's House is managed by a Society, whose purpose is, among others, to place the house at the disposal of people, so the house can serve as a starting-point towards cultural creativity, for example scientific work, literature, music, theatre and the visual arts. It is the society's intention that the projects created by artists living in the house, shall inspire and have a positive influence on the local area and contribute to strengthening international relations of Svendborg Kommune in the cultural field.