LL-L: "Low Saxon in America" LOWLANDS-L, 05.JAN.2001 (02) [E/German]

Fri Jan 5 17:00:05 UTC 2001

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 L O W L A N D S - L * 05.JAN.2001 (02) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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 A=Afrikaans, Ap=Appalachean, D=Dutch, E=English, F=Frisian, L=Limburgish
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From: R. F. Hahn [sassisch at yahoo.com]
Subject: Low Saxon in America

I am able to welcome quite a few people who joined us this week.  Among them
is Joachim ("Yogi") Reppmann fo the American/Schleswig-Holstein Heritage
Society.  Yogi was so kind as to share some of his society's press releases
(one in German and two in English) that are of interest to anyone dealing with
the Low Saxon (Low German) language in America.  You will find them below.

Best regards,
Reinhard/Ron

P.S.: I find the mixture of "Low German" and "Octoberfest atmosphere" rather
odd, but perhaps I should get off my purist high horse ...

***

Plattdeutsche Weihnachten in Wahington, D.C.

"O Dannebom" verzauberte Amerikaner

Washington, D.C./Northfield (US-Bundesstaat Minnesota) Erstmalig erklang am
Freitagabend, 1. Dezember 2000, mit "O Dannebom" anlässlich des
Weihnachtskonzerts ("The Annual Christmas Concert")  in der 'Basilica of the
National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception', unweit des Weissen Hauses,
eines der schönsten deutschen Weihnachtslieder. Unter der Leitung von Leo
Nestor sang der Kirchenchor im ersten Teil des Programms die erste Strophe von
"O Tannenbaum" auf Platt. Begeistert summte das hochkarätige Publikum aus
Diplomaten und US-Politikern mit.

Falls Sie an dieser Nachricht zweifeln sollten: das Weihnachtskonzert wurde
von EWTN dem 'Eternal World Television Network' gefilmt und wird am 17., 23.,
25., 28., Dezember weltweit gesendet. Weitere Detailinformationen: s. bitte
Website www.ewtn.com =Mother Angelica.

Der aus Flensburg stammende Wissenschaftler, Dr. Joachim Reppmann,
neugewählter Präsident der 'American/Schleswig-Holstein Heritage Society',
(ASHHS) freut sich über diese "wunderbare Amtshilfe" aus der amerikanischen
Hauptstadt: "Eine bessere Werbung für unsere '4. US-Platttage vom 19.-21.
Oktober 2001 in Grand Island (US-Bundesstaat Nebraska) und unsere Bemühungen
die Niederdeutsche Sprache in Amerika zu revitalisieren kann man sich nicht
vorstellen!"

Der Text aus dem Programm:

O Dannebom, o Dannebom,
du drägst 'ne grönen Twig,
den Winter, den Sommer,
dat doert de leve Tid.

'Worum schold ich nich grönen,
da ich noch grönen kann?
Ick hebb nich Vader un Moder,
de mi versorgen kann.

'Un de mi kann versorgen,
dat is de leve Gott,
de leet mi wassen und grönen,
drum bin ich stark un grot.'

Weitere Informationen:
Institute for Low German in America, Dr. Joachim Reppmann, Professor of German
* 3 Lincoln Lane, Northfield, MN 55057 USA; ( (001-507) 645-9161 | Fax:
(001-507) 663-7929 | yogi at moin-moin.com | http://www.moin-moin.com

***

Low German Dialects Win Friends in America

The American/Schleswig-Holstein Heritage Society (ASHHS) with members in 41
states and headquarters in Davenport, IA, has elected a native of Germany, Dr.
Joachim Reppmann, to be the president for 2000-2002.

        What is the significance of ASHHS and why would this organization suddenly
gain many new members in Germany and the US?

        In 1848 the first Germans from the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein
arrived after a failed democratic revolution, and many of these descendents
continue to celebrate the rich intellectual heritage that their forefathers
brought to the development of American life, liberty, and prosperity.

        "This organization has little to do with cheese, sauerkraut, and the Bavarian
Octoberfest, and seeks more to represent the region between the cultural North
and Baltic Sea that borders the Scandinavian countries", stated Yogi Reppmann.

        Since 1989 the members of this society have hosted three conferences designed
to vitalize the use of northern Low German dialects spoken in America. This
organization also has supported a major building project when it shipped a
Schleswig-Holstein house-barn from 1660 to Manning, Iowa. This "Hausbarn" now
functions as a museum. ASHHS supports other initiatives like youth exchange,
genealogical research, sister city cooperation, and folk festivals from
abroad.

        In October 2001 the society will host the fourth US-Low German Conference in
Grand Island, NE. This city was founded by the original Schleswig-Holsteinian
revolutionaries from 1848, at time considered the most central location for a
new capital of the nation.

        Professor Reppmann from Northfield, MN, and Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein,
Germany looks forward to promoting the further development of this
German-American heritage.

For further information please contact: ASHHS, P.O. Box 313, Davenport, IA,
52805-0313
Tel/Fax: 319-284-4184; ashhs at ashhs.org

***

4th Low German Heritage Days
(Platt Conference)
and Genealogical Workshop
Grand Island, Nebraska Oct. 19-21, 2001

The Platt Deutsche Corporation and the Liederkranz Society of Grand Island,
Nebraska will be hosting the US's 4th Low German Heritage Days (Platt
Conference) and Genealogical Workshop. The meeting will be in English and
Platt. One main focus will be about the Low German spoken in the Midwest and
the renaissance of interest in the language and culture of those who still
speak it. A surprisingly large number of children who grew up in the country
learned to speak Low German at home before entering kindergarten where they
were for the first time exposed to the English language. As a result, many of
them now enjoy speaking Low German as their mother tongue, but only learned to
read and write in English.

These Heritage Days are of special interest for both, American and German
genealogists, all Platt speakers, and those who would like to learn more about
this charming language of their forefathers. During this weekend, German
genealogists will support US family researchers in their efforts to read old
German script and to find new resources.

A program full of variety covering workshops, slide shows, lessons,
traditional German cooking, folk dance, theatre, music performances, and
singing along will surely make for an enjoyable and educational experience.
These gatherings have already made great accomplishments in linking the Old
with the New World. The 4th Low German Heritage Days and Genealogical Workshop
had its beginning with the American/Schleswig-Holstein Heritage Society of
Davenport, Iowa in 1995.

Several emigrants from Schleswig-Holstein, among them William Stolley and Fred
Hedde, 1848 democratic revolutionaries, founded Grand Island, Nebraska in
1857. City Mayor of Grand Island, Ken Gnadt, expects altogether over 400
participants from around the country and Germany:

"Besides informative slide show presentations, genealogical workshops with
visiting German specialists in Old German script and church books,
a German Heritage Festival, Low German/English choir music, theatre
performances, and Grammy's favorite recipes - the gathering will also have an
Oktoberfest atmosphere."

For further information, contact:

Institute for Low German in America, Dr. Joachim Reppmann, Professor of German
Mail: 3 Lincoln Lane | Northfield, MN 55057
Phone: (507) 645-9161 | fax: (507) 663-7929 Ÿ yogi at moin-moin.com Ÿ
http://www.moin-moin.com or

Mayor Ken Gnadt, City Hall,
Mail: 100 East First Street, Box 1968 | Grand Island, NE 68802-1968
Phone: (308) 385-5444 (ext. 100) | fax: (308) 385-5486 | mayor at gionline.net

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