Mikhael Ende

Michael Ende was a German writer.

He was born in the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, into the family of the painter and sculptor Edgar Karl Ende and the physiotherapist Louise Ende. The event took place at 5:15 a.m. by caesarean section. The family lived in poverty, as few people bought Edgar’s paintings. Art critics described these paintings as “semi-surrealism.” In 1931 the family moved to Obermenzing near Munich. Edgar associated the Munich Art Center with his future breakthrough as an artist and with escape from poverty, which was only worsened by the crisis in the world economy. And, as it happened, the expected success exceeded all expectations. The master’s works were not only exhibited, but also purchased by both German and foreign collectors. In addition, Edgar received recognition from his colleagues. This success secured the family a comfortable existence for four years. In 1935, because of the cultural policy of the Third Reich, the Endes’ financial situation sharply worsened. A year later Edgar was banned as an “artist of degenerate art.”

From 6 September 1935 the Endes rented a small apartment in Munich’s Schwabing district. Nearby lived artists, sculptors, and writers: Franz Marc, Bertolt Brecht, Paul Klee. Louise Ende was forced to take a job, but this did not prevent the return of poverty. Far worse than poverty for the little Michael was the growing rift between his father and mother. Quarrels became more and more frequent, and no one paid attention to their son. His father, for example, often repeated: “We cannot afford to support a child.” From then on Michael began to feel a constant fear of want. School could not correct this situation, especially since Michael was never a good pupil; he felt disgust for lessons, school, and teachers. He looked for friends who helped him forget the burden of everyday life, such as Willy, the son of a tobacco merchant, and Peter Horn, the son of a doctor. Willy later served as the prototype for Bastian, the hero of The Neverending Story. Peter’s adventures on the Rosenheimer farmstead, where they often spent their holidays, were reworked by Ende in 1984 into Goggolori.

From spring 1940 Ende attended the