In recent years, the name “Atreju,” a central character from Michael Ende's The Neverending Story, has been used by a political party in Italy for events and public appearances. We regularly receive inquiries about this.

We would like to make it clear that

Michael Ende's works belong to everyone.

They are places of inner freedom, play, and imagination—not instruments of political identification.

Michael Ende never wrote his stories with party political intentions. His work invites connection, not division. Culture creates spaces that people can share regardless of their origin, opinion, or affiliation. Politics, on the other hand, necessarily divides people into positions and camps.

https://michaelende.de/en/news/statement-by-michael-endes-rights-holders-on-the-political-use-of-the-name-atreju