LL-L: "Low Saxon" LOWLANDS-L, 28.SEP.2000 (01) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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 L O W L A N D S - L * 28.SEP.2000 (01) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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From: R. F. Hahn [sassisch at yahoo.com]
Subject: Low Saxon

PRESSE INS (INSTITUT FÜR NIEDERDEUTSCHE SPRACHE), BREMEN
PRESS SERVICE OF THE INSTITUTE FOR LOW GERMAN LANGUAGE, BREMEN
http://www.hprg.de/ins-presse/index.htm

NEWS DIGEST IN ENGLISH, SEPTEMBER 2000
Prepared by R. F. Hahn

LOW GERMAN AND THE "STASI"
The Fritz Reuter Society, based in the North German state of New Bandenburg,
recently published a report that the East German Ministry of State Security
had compiled about it in the 1980s.  East Berlin's secret agents apparently
feared "political-ideological diversion as well as agitation by reactionary
forces of the FRG [Federal Republic of Germany]": "In the
political-operational development, there appears to be a growing tendency
toward misusing Low German in connection with the signed cultural agreement
and city partnerships between the GDR [German Democratic Republic] and the
FRG."  Apparently, government agents were present at all official meetings of
the Society as well as at semi-official or private meetings of the Society's
members, and they monitored all proceedings.  The Society's research group
made its way through thousands of pages in governmental files and dossiers for
the sake of augmenting the Society's recorded history.  According to them, it
was not only hard work but was very difficult psychologically as well.  Some
Society members' moral steadfastness in the face of denigration and conspiracy
has come to light, as have names of "informative collaborators" and "contact
persons".  Two ex-collaborators have already recanted and apologized.
Further information: Prof. Dr. Jürgen Grote, Mainz, Tel. (06131) 36 11 31.

AUDIO MATERIAL FOR CHILDREN
Windkraft Musical Productions and its online publication series Hoerwurm is
seeking Low German authors of radio dramas and audio books for children.  The
stories of these works must be set in Eastern Friesland.  However, for
commercial reasons they are not to be written and read in the dialects of
Eastern Friesland but in "Rundfunk-Platt" [i.e., in a supra-regional
broadcasting variety of North Saxon -- RFH].  Radio drama manuscripts are to
be submitted by February 15, 2001.  Stories are to be submitted by November
15, 2000.
Further Information: Andreas Bienst, Nesse, Germany, Tel. (04938) 91 40 60.
[No mailing address or URL provided -- RFH]

BOOK FAIR
The Carl Toepfer Foundation will host the third Low German Book Fair on
November 18 and 19 in the Lichtwarksaal in Hamborg/Hamburg.  A number of
publishers will be exhibiting, and authors will read and sign their works.
Further information: Wolfgang Müns, Hamborg/Hamburg, Tel. (040) 34 08 23.

HONORS FOR STELLMACHER
The Freudenthal Society will honor Professor Dr. Dieter Stellmacher with an
honorary membership at its annual general meeting on 30 September in
Snevern/Schneverdingen. The university professor (aged 61) has helped to
further the Freudenthal Society's philological activities.  Stellmacher was
chairmen of the Institute for Low German Language for six years.  The annual
Freudenthal Prize for Low German literature will be awarded on the same day.
Further information: Freudenthal-Gesellschaft, Dr. Heinrich Kröger,
Salta/Soltau, Tel. (05191)
8 22 05.

LANGUAGE STUDIES IN THE THEATER
Bremen's Ernst-Waldau-Theater is returning to its Low German tradition by
offering Low German language courses. Margret Bahr, who had been hired to
coach actors in Low German pronunciation, will now teach anyone who wishes to
acquire or improve language proficiency. The beginners' course consists of 10
sessions of 90 minutes each. Tuition is DM 85. So far a reading circle has
been attracting mostly older people. Apparently, there are younger people who
wish to participate but lack confidence and proficiency, and it is mostly
these people that the beginners' course is hoped to benefit.
Further information: Dramaturgie des Ernst-Waldau-Theaters, Bremen, Tel.
(0421) 38 61 72.

"PETER AND THE WOLF"
The Bremen Accordion Orchestra "Frohsinn" has commissioned a Low German
translation of parts of Sergey Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf".  It will be
performed on September 29 and October 6 in Bremen-Gröpelingen's Lichthaus.
Further information: Sonja Specketer, Harmonika-Club "Frohsinn", Bremen, Tel.
(0421) 6 44 13 80.

HAUS MECKLENBURG
The Low German Center of Haus Mecklenburg in Ratzborg/Ratzeburg has received a
boost in the form of staff additions.  Volker Holm, the manager, will be
joined by Helga Walsemann of Mölln und Volkert Ipsen of Lübeck.  Walsemann, an
education specialist, will deal mostly with the program "Plattdüütsch in de
School" (Low German in School).  Ipsen, a song writer and a graduate of the
University of Kiel, will bring with him his expertise in Low German
literature.
Further information: Volker Holm im Haus Mecklenburg, Ratzborg/Ratzeburg, Tel.
(04541) 8 36 68.

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