8 Oct-24 Jan 2009-2010. To celebrate Michael Ende's 80th birthday and the 30th anniversary of his Neverending Story, the Casa di Goethe presents an exhibition dedicated to Germany's most outstanding author of books for children and young adults. In the 1960s, German critics accused Ende of a lack of social commitment and assailed him for encouraging a flight from reality into the reign of fantasy, causing the angry artist to leave his homeland. For 15 years Ende and his wife lived in Genzano in the Castelli Romani, and these decisive Italian years are narrated in this exhibition. His stay in Italy influenced his view of the fantasy world and facilitated a reconciliation with Germany. The exhibition shows texts, photographs and original documents, as well as personal items belonging to the writer.