Lobotomy or the Surgery of Madness – Ina Boesch and Dorothee Kohler tell their story

Today, the lobotomy is regarded as a fatal mistake in medicine. In the mid-20th century, however, numerous surgeons fell for the idea that madness could be cured by making an incision in the brain. The result? People with mental illness were sedated, without their suffering being even remotely alleviated. Nevertheless, the lobotomy quickly gained popularity, with the result that more and more people fell victim to the experiment, including Marleen and Martha – the aunts of Ina Boesch and Dorothee Kohler. In *Marleen* and *Vier Seiten Leben*, the two authors explore the emotional, psychological and physical suffering their aunts were forced to endure as a result of brutal treatment methods, and take a critical look at the history of medicine in the 20th century. Host: Marietta Meier.

Barbara Korp, winner of the ‘VorSatz’ writing competition, will read her text at the start of the event.