November 2001 - Nr. 11
A pro po
Each time period has something that invites commentary about the human condition. Current events, especially when they are a drastic departure from the norm, cause us to search for values that are in danger of being lost. And while searching once again for the meaning of life we find solace in all sorts of things. Suddenly that call from a person we were never that close to means something. We count our blessings, friends and family members and stay a little bit more in touch. Old photos suddenly turn up and lost items are found along with the memory of promises that were never fulfilled and profound thoughts on a variety of subjects come to mind.
For the second year the German Canadian community could celebrate German Pioneers Day. And here is what I have to say on behalf of Echo Germanica:
"Dear fellow Canadians
It is under a totally different star that we celebrated for the 2nd time the German Pioneers Day. Not in a long time has it been so important to value, cherish, praise, and acknowledge all that is good and wholesome about our way of life.
Our heritage shaped our present and will influence our future. We live in interesting if difficult times. That makes it so much more important that we hold high our ideals for this country, for our children, and for ourselves.
It is also a reality that our ranks as a group are shrinking. New immigration from German speaking countries is not at an all time high. The ethnic mix is shifting in other directions. Therefore it is vital that we recognize what our forefathers have created in Canada and that we work together with other groups to maintain the liberties we enjoy in this great nation. It is especially desirable that we hold firmly together what is left of our heritage, that we build on it, expand on it as much as we can. Therefore unifying efforts in our own ranks should be a big part of our endeavours. This is a realisation every organisation has to have, every individual should have in mind when making decisions that effect others.
More than ever are we called on in these times to be responsible and show some civil courage, just as our forefathers did, or else they would have vanished and no one would have been around to celebrate the 2nd annual German Pioneers Day in Ontario."
A Modern Day Mephisto
In the last month we received a phone call from Bruce Pitkin, who undertook the ambitious project of directing a play by Klaus Mann, who was a brother-in-law to Gustaf Gründgens, who made the part of Goethe’s Mephisto famous all over the world in a filmed version of this incredible play. The history of the play and the playwright are as fascinating as the play itself.
We heard recently the word evil again and again. What better time than now to have another look at what evil really is?!
But the play is not about the Mephisto we know from Goethe’s Faust, this is Gustaff Gründgen’s story, a story about an erstwhile leftist who found himself in the position of head of the Nazi State Theatre.
Mephisto, the novel, was written first by Klaus Mann in 1936 but not released in Germany until 1981. Who sat on it and why?
The play first premiered in France in 1979 and the book also inspired the movie by the same name with Klaus Maria Brandauer. The English version was presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1986, directed by Adrian Noble.
This current project is presented by the Equity Showcase Theatre at the Studio Theatre, Harbour Front, 235 Queen’s Quay West, and will preview November 7, and open Nov. 8. It will run to Nov.18, 2001. All performances are "pay what you can", but it is common to contribute $10 dollars as a donation. For tickets call the box office under 416-533-9231.
Austrian National Holiday & other events
Respite from day to day life came a day before we went to print and the paper was practically finished when Mr. Stronach, honorary Consul General of Austria, had the doors to an Imax theatre in Woodbridge opened for a celebration of one of Austria’s finest traditions. We will give you a full report on the current Internet issue and in the next issue.
We also attended CFMTs announcement to ask the TRCT to expand the stations possibilities of serving the diverse ethno cultural community of southern Ontario. Petitions have to be directed to the right sources. There is strong interest for a German Program and your help will be asked for to support the idea in filling out petitions in the near future.
We
followed in invitation of the German Chamber of Commerce, which in
conjunction with the German Canadian Business And Professional Association
invited for a lunch, which had announced as the guest speaker Rudolf Miele
from Guethersloh, Germany. He was to speak on how to approach the North
American market and how to survive in a global market as a family owned
company.
No doubt this would have been a most fascinating account. Unfortunately he opted out of the trip to Canada in the last minute it seems, for security reason we were told. Instead the local company head spoke of Miele after the lunch.
Members
of the association might remember that luncheons at Stop 33 of the Sutton
Place Hotel were always well visited and favoured. Perhaps this is because
from the 33rd floor one has the most impressive view of Toronto’s
power brokers and their symbols. To the south the backdrop is the skyline
with the dominating presence of Bay Street, and to the west we encounter the
district of 
Toronto’s
university where knowledge is still being bartered as power. Having lunch at
Stop 33 certainly allows the feeling of being "on top of it", at
least for a fleeting moment.
Another event by the same combination of organisers was the annual gala ball announced in the last issue. We shall report on this and other interesting stories in the next issue.
German National Holiday
October
3rd saw many people find their way to the Gardiner Phelan Theatre
of the University of Toronto to where the Deputy Consul General of Germany,
Marianne Bath, had asked her guests. Professor Pia Kleber, she is the head
of the Theatre Arts Program at UofT, had opened the doors to this most
unique venue. Unlike the Austrians, who celebrate their National Holliday
always with some pomp and glory, the Germans just have a simple reception,
where the Consul General stands near the door to greet the guests. As the
receiving line is usually quite long this can and does take all night. While
everyone is milling about with a glass of wine in hand and partaking in the
usually delicious food offerings, engaging in animated conversation, she
stands steadfast and shakes countless hands. By the time the last people
arrive the first ones will already leave. That is no doubt the reason why
the host or hostess can never leave this spot.
The
entire evening is passed by all with meeting acquaintances and friends,
getting introduced to new faces and circulating in the many different rooms
to discover who else is there. There is no music, no performance of any
kind, no speech being held, no national anthem played. Visitors who hail
direct from Germany always wonder about our lack of decorum, but we do not.
This is what we are used to. Who started this tradition we do not recall. Or
perhaps it is somewhere written in the consulates "how to" book.
It can be said with certainty that there is no undue display of national
pride, which would of course not be à pro po.
Until
then
Sybille Forster-Rentmeister
Comments to: sfr@echoworld.com
