Schlaraffia

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"In arte voluptas"
door in the Humboldthaus in Görlitz (original interior shot, mirrored here)

The Schlaraffia is a worldwide German-speaking association founded on October 10, 1859 in Prague to cultivate friendship, art and humor. The word "Schlaraffe" is from the Middle High German word slur monkey be derived, which at that time was as much as "careless connoisseurs" (see Cockaigne ). The motto of the association is “In arte voluptas” (for example: there is pleasure in art). The term “Schlaraffia” has been protected by trademark law by the “Allschlaraffenrat” (board member of the worldwide association “Allschlaraffia”) . There is no reference to other brand names that contain the term Schlaraffia - such as Schlaraffia mattresses. There is no connection to Freemasonry , also from service clubs such as Lions Club or Rotary International , to student associations or to carnival clubs and similar associations. During the time of National Socialism and later under the government of the GDR , many local groups ("Reyche") had to cease operations and were only able to survive these times in very isolated cases through secret meetings in safe surroundings (mostly private apartments). The flight and expulsion of Germans from Central and Eastern Europe in 1945–1950 resulted in many new foundations in the Federal Republic.

Franz Thomé, co-founder of the "Schlaraffia"

General

Example of a Reych coat of arms
Example of a Schlaraffischen order

When in 1859 the director of the German (rural) theater, Franz Thomé , wanted to introduce one of his young artists, the bassist Albert Eilers (1830-1896), to the Prague artists' association “Arcadia”, he was rejected as an alleged proletarian because of his lack of resources . In protest, Eilers and his theater colleagues founded a regulars' table, which they mockingly called the “Proletarian Club”. From this, after several detours and setbacks, today's global "Schlaraffia" developed.

In Germany, Schlaraffia associations were founded in Berlin in 1865 and in Leipzig in 1872 . These joint statutes were adopted in Leipzig in 1876 and quickly spread throughout Germany. The symbol of Schlaraffia is the eagle owl , and in 1874 the association organ “Der Schlaraffia Zeyttungen” appeared in Leipzig.

The Schlaraffen, a men's association ("... only men in a secure position ..."), meet in the so-called wintering (northern hemisphere: October 1st to April 30th; southern hemisphere: May 1st to October 30th) once a week on a fixed one Weekday in their "Schlaraffenburg", the club hall furnished in the style of a medieval knight's hall , to clan . These get-togethers are held according to a fixed ceremony in the form of a knight's game with well-thought-out rules in two parts - a first, which is always the same, and a second, which can be designed more freely and is more artistic. Balaclavas, helmets and armor are made of colored fabric in the established Reych colors, weapons such as junker's dagger or knight sword are mostly made of wood. During the Sippungen both the everyday life are satirized as well as through lectures in literary or musical or artistic-performing shape -  Fechsungen called - kept alive the interest in the art. An antiquated language with its own expressions for everyday things (Schlaraffenlatein) gives the tribe their own humorous touch. Everything outside of the Schlaraffischen game is "profane" / the "profanity".

The eagle owl , which can be found in every castle, is a Schlaraffisches symbol for wisdom, humor and virtue . When entering it, the Schlaraffes greet him with a deep bow, which at the same time symbolizes the shedding of "profane slag" - that is, getting completely involved in the Schlaraffischen game. Discussions on political or religious topics within the castle are prohibited in order not to endanger the ideals of friendship, art and humor.

Although the Schlaraffia is a rather withdrawn ideal association in many places, some Reyche (associations) with public cultural events in their hometowns. For example, the Schlaraffia Oldenburgia ( Oldenburg ) has been running a cabaret since 2004 and organizes Sunday matinees with concerts , cabaret , readings and theater.

Cover picture of the Schlaraffenspiegel 1924

Mirrors and Ceremonials

All framework conditions of the Schlaraffischen game are set out in the rules "Schlaraffen-Spiegel und Ceremoniale". The term mirror for “legal work” alludes to a literary tradition that has been revived many times since ancient Greece. You hold up the mirror to yourself, a prince or an ethnic community in order to recognize who you are - or who and how you should be (see mirror literature ).

These official statutes of the world association “Allschlaraffia”, which have been revised in various new editions since 1867 and adapted to the new political conditions, have been shaped by the great tradition of Fürstenspiegel , Sachsenspiegel , Narrenspiegel , Eulenspiegel , Ritterspiegel and Märchenpiegel.

Identification mark

For outsiders, Schlaraffen outside of their clippings can be recognized by the "Roland needle", a small white pearl worn on the left lapel, or by a sticker attached to the vehicle showing a blinking Uhu head.

Greeting and throw-in

The greeting of the Schlaraffen is Lulu . The onomatopoeic coinage is in the Sippungen as an interjection used (throw) the approval and praise. According to folklorist Erich Kaessmayer, there are two explanations for the greeting:

  1. It is the abbreviation of the translation of “Play the game!” Into Latin - ludum ludite!
  2. Since almost all of the founding members of the Praga (see below "Reyche") were stage professionals, they used appropriate text quotes in their cheerful round table discussions. From Schiller's " Wallenstein's Camp " the line of text "Funny, funny, the Prague people are coming!" In the end, “Lulu” was left as a short form.

The reverse of the letter "Ulul" means a call of rejection and rebuke.

Reyche

Local Schlaraffia groups in cities are called "Reyche" by Schlaraffen. The first Schlaraffenreych was created in Prague (therefore called “Praga”), founded by German artists. Her last home was there at Stefansgasse (Stepanska ul.) 36 (now Hotel Alcron). In the meantime there are currently 261 “Reyche” and “Colonien” (local associations) worldwide, in which only German is spoken (although the members do not have to be German) and which are in close contact with one another. They are summarized in the "Allschlaraffia", which also publishes the "Allschlaraffische Stammrolle", a 1200-page book that every Schlaraffe receives updated annually and that provides an overview of all (also lost) Reyche, Colonies and their preliminary stages (Stammtisch and Camp) as well as the "Sassen" (members) offers. Every Schlaraffe is always welcome in every Reych in the world.

Reyche currently exist in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Sweden, the USA, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Thailand, South Africa and Australia. The individual reyches and colonies are numbered in the order of their date of origin.

"Welcome" sign from Bohemia and Linz, collection of the Schlaraffen Johann Zdiarsky ( Prachatice City Museum )

membership

New members must be introduced as a “pilgrim” by a Schlaraffen-Ritter (“godfather”) and complete a test period before they are accepted through a general vote, the so-called balling , and begin their career as squires , which goes beyond the level of the Junker to Knight leads ( accolade ). In 2013, around 10,300 Schlaraffen were registered in the valid parent role, of which 2,519 in the LV (Landesverband) Austria, 6,517 in LV Germany, 466 in LV Helvetica, in LV Latin America 198, in LV North America 608 (as of June 1, 2013).

Schlaraffische calendar

In 1898 at the V. Concil in Vindobona the year 1 of the Schlaraffischen calendar was set to 1859, to refer to the first wintering of All Mutter Pragas, profane October 10, 1859 / April 30, 1860. The year is the letters a. U. (anno Uhui). The profane year 2020 will accordingly a. U. 161 written.

Sippings

The Schlaraffischen gatherings are called sippung (the verb reads sippen ) and follow the same pattern everywhere. They consist of two parts:

The first part is dedicated to the “Ambtshandlungen”. These include the opening ceremony of the Sippung by the acting top paradise, welcoming the eingerittenen guests, d. H. Sassen of other Reyche, and the readings of the official protocol of the past clan by the marshal as well as a non-official protocol ("NAP") by a Sassen appointed the week before.

After completing the first part, there is a pause to cuddle and eat . During the same or even during the first part, the list of fechations is passed around, on which every Sasse who plans to step on the rostra (lectern) in the second part and present something can sign up.

In the second part of the clan, fechations are performed, i. In other words, everyone can share something - regardless of whether it is prose , verse or musical (exception: only telling jokes is frowned upon). This can be something combat , that is , something you have written yourself , or you can perform a work by another author. In many cases, the clippings have a special topic on which you can fech about something , but not have to.

An overview of all events, including contact details, is provided by the brochure “ Kindred Sequences” , which is published annually by ASR.

Latin of milk and honey

Schlaraffia is, as already indicated, characterized by its own language, called Schlaraffia Latin, although the Schlaraffian language around the world is German . This German contains a number of expressions and phrases deliberately chosen from ancient times, which are intended to emphasize the knightly, medieval atmosphere. This also includes the salutation "you", which is to be used throughout the sippings, even if you are using your name in "profanity".

A few examples from Latin:

  • Etching and refreshment = eating and drinking (verbs: atzen and feast )
  • Source = beer
  • Lethe = wine
  • Schaumlethe = sparkling wine
  • Smoking pot = tobacco pipe
  • Fuse = cigar
  • Luntette = cigarette
  • Bangk = rhythmic tribute that is given to a Schlaraffen
  • Pön = fine that is imposed if one behaves improperly or violates mirrors and ceremonials (verb: pönen ; from Latin poena , punishment)
  • Petrol horse = car
  • Gasoline elephant = coach
  • Steam horse = railway
  • Baggage train = family
  • Burgfrau = wife
  • Burgschreck = mother-in-law
  • Burgwonne = friend, partner
  • Burgmaid = daughter
  • Burgknäpplein = son
  • Clavicimbel = piano
  • Zinkenmeister = the one who operates the clavicimbel . A “ zinc ” was the original instrument that was initially used for accompaniment.
  • Sigh wood = violin
  • Kniewinsel = violoncello
  • Minneholz = guitar
  • Chatterbox = phone
  • Messenger = letter
  • Sendwisch = postcard
  • Crystalline = social gathering outside of the clans
  • Vademecum = annual brochure containing all information and event information from the publishing reyche.
  • Root role = member directory
  • Armor = helmet and sash, possibly knight's cloak
  • Swallowtail = tailcoat

Personalities in Schlaraffia

Grave inscription for Eduard Schmidt-Weißenfels at the city ​​cemetery of Bozen-Oberau with mention of Schlaraffia

Artists, actors, writers and other public figures were and are plenty, among others:

As part of the Schlaraffenspiel, numerous, no longer living personalities are immortalized by name by being posthumously chosen as honorary laraffes (ES) and being recited over and over again. B. Heinz Erhardt (ES Alberich von Schalk), Hermann Löns (ES Mümmelmann), Robert Stolz (ES Servus Du), Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (ES Faust), Friedrich von Schiller (ES Funke), Karl May (ES Kara Ben Nemsi ) or Peter Paul Rubens (ES painter prince). An appointment as an honorary junior is possible for living personalities .

literature

  • Allschlaraffia Association: Schlaraffen-Spiegel and Ceremonials. Bern 2011.
  • Andreas von Canstein-Kleinhenz: Schlaraffia, my wonderland. On the cultural and historical origins of our knight game. Bad Mergentheim 2006.
  • Edwin A. Biedermann: Lodges, clubs and brotherhoods . Droste-Verlag, Düsseldorf 2004, ISBN 3-7700-1184-8 .
  • Rt "Dal'berg": King of Humor. From the March in Mainz to the primeval monkeys in Prague. Bad Mergentheim 2007.
  • Rt "Jupitter the god of children": The Schlaraffische game. On the psychology and phenomenology of a noble, old, wise community game. Bonn 1949, DNB 1060904810 .
  • Michael Maas: The men's association “Schlaraffia” in the years 1914–1937. A study on ideologically unbound associations in the Weimar Republic and under National Socialism , Nuremberg 1993, ISBN 3-87191-178-X .
  • Heiner Meininghaus: Schlaraffia - An association of historicism. In: Weltkunst . Volume 73, No. 2, Feb 2003, p. 191/2.
  • E. Scherer, R. Koch, S. Dreyer: 100 Years of Perla Palatina 1907-2007. U. a, pp. 48-148, A Schlaraffisches Lesebuch . Publishing house Dr. Scriptor OHG, Böhl-Iggelheim 2007, ISBN 978-3-9809578-5-4 .
  • Harald Scheerer: What everyone should know about Schlaraffia. Bern 2007.
  • Erich Kaessmayer: 150 years Schlaraffia. In: Unser Währing, quarterly publication of the Währing Museum Association. Volume 44, issue 1, publisher Bezirksmuseum Währing, Vienna 2009.
  • Wilfried Belschner, Klaus Groh: Ninety-nine pearls of Schlaraffischer Weysheit. (= Codex Schlaraffiae. Volume 1). Edition DaDa Research Center, Edewecht 2013, ISBN 978-3-922595-18-2 .
  • Jürgen Fischer: The Schlaraffische Geist in Verdi's work (s). (= Codex Schlaraffiae. Volume 6). Edition DaDa Research Center, Edewecht 2013, ISBN 978-3-922595-24-3 .
  • Klaus Groh: From the Schwibbogen of the Grand Ducal Court Theater to Uhlenhorst Castle on Friedensplatz. In: Kulturland Oldenburg , edition 3/2014 / no.161, pp. 14–15, ISSN  1862-9652 .

Web links

Commons : Schlaraffia  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ "Schlaraffia" men's association founded. Bayerischer Rundfunk, October 10, 2013, accessed on September 24, 2019 .
  2. ^ Ludwig Eisenberg : Schlaraffia . In: Large biographical lexicon of the German stage in the XIX. Century. Paul List, Leipzig 1903, p. 226 ( daten.digitale-sammlungen.de ).
  3. ↑ Erich Kaessmayer: 150 years Schlaraffia. In: Our currency ring . P. 3.
  4. ↑ Schlaraffĭa . In: Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon . 6th edition. Volume 17, Bibliographisches Institut, Leipzig / Vienna 1909, p.  832 .
  5. ↑ "To the Reychen". schlaraffia.org
  6. ↑ parent roll Allschlaraffia a. U.154/155 (2013/14), Verband Allschlaraffia (ed.), Bern.
  7. ↑ Schlaraffenlatein Verband Allschlaraffia (Ed.), Bern "Schlaraffenlatein" accessed March 5, 2017
  8. ↑ Martin Brantner: "Derer Schlaraffen Lieder" Development, meaning and use of the songs of the Schlaraffia association since its foundation on the basis of selected examples. 2011 ( univie.ac.at [PDF] University of Vienna. Diploma thesis).