Michael Ende – German 20th-century writer, author of The Neverending Story and Momo, whose books became global phenomena and film adaptations. He called his works “philosophical fairy tales”, merging fantasy with allegory on time, imagination, and freedom. For him, stories were not escapism but a way to illuminate reality for both children and adults.
✨ He grew up in a house filled with art, as his father was a surrealist painter. 📖 His first book, Jim Button, was rejected by many publishers before one finally took the risk. 🎬 He was outraged by the film adaptation of The Neverending Story, calling it a disaster and trying to disown it. 🕰️ Momo introduced the enduring metaphor of “time thieves” into cultural debate. 🌍 Ende believed fairy tales were not childish, but a tool for adults to understand life. 📚 In Japan he is revered as a classic, with museums and stage productions dedicated to him. 🎭 Before literature, he worked as an actor and playwright. 🧳 His years in Rome infused his prose with Mediterranean imagery. 🎼 Jazz was his passion – for a while he dreamed of being a musician. ✒️ He described his books as “for children from seven to seventy”. 😄 At one live reading, his endless improvisation made kids laugh and beg him to finally stop the “neverending story”.