The rare first edition of Svendborger Gedichte were written during Brecht's exile in Denmark in the 1930's.

Bertolt Brecht (1898–1956) was one of the most influential dramatist of the 20th century. He believed in the educational role of theatre, and avoided realism in his plays. As Brecht was a Socialist throughout his life, he had to leave Germany in 1933. He lived in Denmark, and later in the USA, until his return to Germany in 1949. Brecht also wrote poems and criticism.