Author: Franz Pfemfert

Franz Pfemfert was a noted German journalist, literary critic, and publisher born on November 20, 1879, in Lötzen, East Prussia (now Giżycko, Poland). As a radical anti-war activist and a staunch advocate for expressionist literature, Pfemfert is best remembered as the founder and editor of “Die Aktion”, an influential weekly journal that combined political commentary with avant-garde aesthetics. First published in 1911, “Die Aktion” became a seminal platform for expressionist writers and artists, as well as a critical voice against militarism and authoritarianism during the volatile years of World War I and the Weimar Republic. Pfemfert”s publication served not just as a literary magazine but also as an intellectual hub for progressive thought, attracting contributors such as Gottfried Benn, Else Lasker-Schüler, and Heinrich Mann. Throughout his career, Pfemfert maintained a commitment to radical politics and artistic innovation, embodying the spirit of dissent and the pursuit of social justice. His editorial work at “Die Aktion” has been recognized as a major contribution to German literary culture during a period of intense social and political upheaval. Pfemfert”s legacy continues to endure through his impact on modernist literature and his championship of freedom of expression.