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The Stasi and how it worked

Monday, February 29th, 2016

The STASI was the secret police agency of the former German Democratic Republic (East Germany). The name stands for Ministerium fuer STAatsSIcherheit (Ministry for State Security). In keeping with their motto “Schild und Schwert der Partei” (Shield and Sword of the Party) the Stasi became one of the most repressive and feared institutions that ever existed.

How the Stasi got its start

The Stasi grew out of the internal security and police agency that was launched by the Soviets in their occupation zone of Germany in the aftermath of World War II. On 8 February 1950, four months after the East German state was established, the state’s new legislature established the Ministry for State Security. The agency’s initial responsibility was limited to domestic political surveillance and foreign espionage. Soon its power grew exponentially.

What made the Stasi so powerful?

Under Erich Mielke http://www.walled-in-berlin.com/j-elke-ertle/erich-mielke-master-of-fear/, director of the agency from 1957 to 1989, the Stasi gained access to every aspect of the daily lives of East German citizens: Aside from foreign espionage, it suppressed internal political opposition; it imprisoned hundreds of thousands of citizens; it infiltrated every major East German institution; it even went so far as to analyze the garbage for suspect western food and/or materials. In addition, the Stasi maintained detailed files on family and personal relationships.

It accomplished these tasks with approximately 100,000 full-time Stasi officers, 15,000 soldiers, army officers and police in addition to a vast network of full-time and part-time citizen informants and unofficial collaborators. The number of these citizen-helpers has been estimated at somewhere between 500,000 and 2,000,000. These unpaid collaborators were often recruited from people whose jobs entailed frequent contact with the public. They included doctors, nurses, clergy, lawyers, teachers, trolley conductors, waiters, janitors and actors. In return for small incentives designed to make them feel important, they were asked to spy on and denounced colleagues, friends, neighbors and family members. By 1989 when the Berlin Wall fell the Stasi employed one full-time agent for every 166 East Germans. Adding full-time and part-time informers and collaborators, the Stasi relied on one informer per 6.5 people. https://www.nytimes.com/books/first/k/koehler-stasi.html The agency maintained files on more than one-third of the East German population.

By the 1970s, the Stasi decreased its number of overt persecutions, such as arrests and torture, and increasingly focused on the use of psychological tactics, called Zersetzung (undermining). Favored methods included gaslighting, which is a form of mental manipulation with the intent to make the victims doubt their sanity. Gaslighting tactics included breaking into homes and moving furniture, changing the time on the clock, removing pictures from walls or simply replacing one variety of tea with another.

End of the Stasi

Soon after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the East German legislature tried to rebrand the Stasi as the Amt fuer Nationale Sicherheit (Office for National Security). But because of a public outcry this agency was never established. Instead, the Stasi was formally disbanded in February 1990. But before the agency was dissolved, Stasi officials destroyed a vast amount of the organization’s files. East German citizens occupied the Stasi’s main headquarters in Berlin on 15 January 1990, stopped the destruction and saved the remaining files.

Attempted destruction of files by the Stasi and bags of files recovered – photos on exhibit in “Haus in der Runden Ecke”, Leipzig.

Since 2015, East German Stasi files are open to the public online for the first time. Please visit http://www.walled-in-berlin.com/j-elke-ertle/stasi-files-online-now/

For a sneak peek at the first 20+ pages of my memoir, Walled-In: A West Berlin Girl’s Journey to Freedom, click “Download a free excerpt” on my home page and feel free to follow my blog about anything German: historic and current events, people, places and food.

Walled-In is my story of growing up in Berlin during the Cold War. Juxtaposing the events that engulfed Berlin during the Berlin Blockade, the Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall and Kennedy’s Berlin visit with the struggle against my equally insurmountable parental walls, Walled-In is about freedom vs. conformity, conflict vs. harmony, domination vs. submission, loyalty vs. betrayal.

Tags: Amt fuer Nationale Sicherheit, Erich Mielke, fall of the Berlin Wall, foreign espionage, gaslighting, mental manipulation, Ministerium fuer Staatssicherheit, Ministry for State Security, occupation of Stasi headquarters, Office for National Security, Stasi, surveillance, Zersetzung
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Usedom – Germany’s Sunniest Region

Monday, February 22nd, 2016

Usedom is an island in the Baltic Sea. Shared by Germany and neighboring Poland, its Polish name is Uznam. Prior to 1945, the entire island was part of Germany. However, following World War II and in keeping with the Potsdam Agreement, the eastern part of the island was relinguished to Poland. At the same time, the native German inhabitants were expelled westward and replaced by Poles. Many of the Poles who repopulated the vacated area had been expelled themselves by the Soviets from what had been eastern Poland.

Today, Usedom’s 172 square miles are split between the two countries. About 80% of the island belongs to Germany. However, almost 60% of the isle’s total population of 76,500 inhabits the Polish part of the island. Following World War II and before German Reunification in 1990, Usedom’s German part of the island was part of East Germany.

Usedom’s Geography

The major German cities on Usedom include the city of Usedom in the west, the Dreikaiserbaeder (Three Emperor Spas) Heringsdorf, Ahlbeck and Bansin in the southeast Zinnowitz and the Amber Spas (Koserow, Loddin, Ueckeritz and Zempin) in the northeast, and the small port of Peenemuende in the north of the island. A tiny fishing village in the 1930s, Peenemuende has a darker history. Hitler launched the V-2 rocket here. Today, very little of the weapons factory remains because most of it was destroyed during Allied raids.

The largest city on the Polish side of the island is Swinoujscie. Its German name is Swinemuende.

Usedom – the Sun Island

Usedom is often called the “Sun Island” because it receives more sunshine than any other region in Germany or Poland. And since Germans are famous for their insatiable appetite for sunshine, the island’s average 2,000 hours of sun per year http://www.ostsee.de/insel-usedom/ makes it a choice coastal resort. But sunshine is not the only reason Germans like to vacation on Usedom. Its wide variety of attractions include the island’s 25 miles of white sand beaches, its string of elegant 19th century villas, its renowned medical and wellness spas and its unspoiled nature. In 1990, the entire island was designated a nature preserve. Its interior features castles, lakes and historic villages. A five-mile promenade connects Usedom’s Dreikaiserbaeder. On one side, elegant Wilhelminian villas line the boardwalk. On the other side, sun worshippers relax in wicker beach baskets, known as Strandkoerbe (for more information on the history of the Strandkorb, visit http://www.walled-in-berlin.com/j-elke-ertle/distinctly-german-the-strandkorb/) Small pine forests separate the villages.

Strandkoerbe (wicker beach baskets) line the beaches of Usedom, photo © J. Elke Ertle, 2014

Usedom’s History

Usedom has been settled since the Stone Age. Since the late 19th century the island has been a popular summer resort. Two German emperors — Friedrich III (1831 to 1888) and Wilhelm II (1859 to 1941) — were frequent visitors. Wealthy Berliners built their palatial villas on the island. Even during the Cold War Usedom retained its exclusivity because top Communist party functionaries enjoyed the grand island villas. Many of the officials came to savor the Freikoerperkultur (FKK) on the beaches. (for more on FKK in Germany, visit http://www.walled-in-berlin.com/j-elke-ertle/the-skinny-on-nude-bathers-in-germany) Although FKK beaches still exist on Usedom, nudity-seekers are greatly outnumbered by spa-goers.

Tags: Ahlbeck, Amber Spas, Baltic Sea, Bansin, Dreikaiserbaeder, Emperor Friedrich III, Emperor Wilhelm II, FKK, Freikoerperkultur, Heringsdorf, Koserow, Loddin, Peenemuende, Potsdam Agreement, Strandkoerbe, Sun Island, Three Emperor Spas, Ueckeritz, Usedom, wicker beach baskets, Zempin, Zinnowitz
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Brothers Grimm – fairy tales and more

Monday, February 15th, 2016

When we think of the Brothers Grimm (Gebrueder Grimm), their fairy tales pop to mind. We recall the familiar stories read to us in childhood: Hansel and Gretel (Haensel und Gretel), Snow White (Schneewittchen), Sleeping Beauty (Dornroeschen), Cinderella (Aschenputtel), Little Red Riding Hood (Rotkaeppchen) and Rapunzel (Rumpelstilzchen). Grimm’s fairy tales became to popular worldwide that they may have been outsold only by Shakespeare and the Bible.

The Brothers Grimm published far more than folklore

But aside from collecting and publishing fairy tales, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm – both University-trained linguists and librarians – also wrote many books on mythology, linguistics and medieval studies. They even started compiling a German dictionary on the scale of the Oxford English Dictionary. Unfortunately, both brothers died before they could finish the project.

Grimms ausgewaehlte Maerchen, printed in 1946, my favorite childhood book, photo © J. Elke Ertle, 2015

Who were the Brothers Grimm?

Jacob Grimm (born in 1785) and Wilhelm Grimm (born in 1786) were the second- and third-eldest surviving siblings in a family of nine children. Three of the Grimm children died in infancy. The Brothers Grimm were born to prosperous parents and grew up in the German town of Hanau, 25 km east of Frankfurt/Main. Their father was a lawyer; their mother was the daughter of a city councilman.

But when Wilhelm was ten years old, the boys’ father passed away, and the family plunged into poverty. Only with great difficulty did the Brothers Grimm manage to attend a university preparatory school. Although they went on to law school, their interest soon shifted to the collection of folklore. Their book, “Die Kinder- und Hausmaerchen” (Nursery and Household Tales), first published in 1812, contains stories that had been passed down from generation to generation. The book eventually became known as “Grimms’ Fairy Tales – Grimm’s Maerchen.”

The Brothers Grimm did not invent the tales

Many readers assume that the Brothers Grimm actually invented these fairy tales. But they did not. Instead, they only collected and published the stories. Until the early 1900s, fairy tales were part of an oral tradition. While doing household chores, women often retold stories to reduce the monotony of their chores. But all this changed with industrialization. The stories faced extinction until the Brothers Grimm began collecting them by talking to relatives and friends in many parts of the country.

It is also interesting that Grimm’s Fairy Tales were never meant for children because the stories routinely included sex, violence and incest. http://www.biography.com/news/brothers-grimm-facts But once the stories became popular, the Brothers Grimm continued to revise them until they deemed them appropriate for the young minds of children.

Tags: Brothers Grimm, Gebrueder Grimm, Grimm's Fairy Tales, Grimm's Maerchen, Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm
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Schnaps versus schnapps

Monday, February 8th, 2016

Do you know the difference between German “Schnaps” and American “schnapps?” It isn’t just an additional “p.” German Schnaps (or “eau de vie” in French) is generally an 80-100 proof clear, unsweetened fruit brandy distilled from fermented fruits. No sugar is added, and the fruit flavor is extremely light. Schnaps is usually made from apples, pears, plums, apricots or cherries.

American schnapps, on the other hand, is generally a 30-100 proof liqueur, produced by mixing fruit with already fermented and distilled alcohol. Sugar and glycerin are then added, and the resulting syrupy product is also known as liqueur.

Schnaps: My Secret Ingredient

To tell you the truth, I have never cared for the taste of Schnaps. Whether served before dinner as an apéritif or after dinner is a digestif, it is not sweet enough for me. I prefer a liqueur. But I love what Schnaps does for my Black Forest Cherry Cake (Schwarzwaelder Kirschtorte). The cake is named after the Schnaps that was first distilled in the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) in southwestern Germany, not the other way around. http://tastings.com/spirits/brandy.html This particular Schnaps is aptly called Kirschwasser (cherry water), or simply Kirsch. The clear, colorless fruit brandy is made from tart cherries, including pits. The cherry pits give the Black Forest Cherry Cake its unique flavor. I understand that it takes about 22 pounds of cherries to make just one 750 ml bottle (about 25 ounces) of Kirschwasser.

Kirschwasser – a Schnaps that defines my Black Forest Cherry Cake, photo © J. Elke Ertle, 2015

First documented in 1934 in Berlin, Germany, Black Forest Cherry Cake consists of layers of chocolate cake, whipped cream and tart cherries. But it would not taste the same without the secret ingredient – you guessed it – an infusion of Kirschwasser. I either soak the cherries overnight in the Schnaps or sprinkle the Kirschwasser directly onto each cake layer. I always end with cherries atop the cake, dotted with shaved dark chocolate. Give it a try!

Tags: American schnapps, Black Forest Cherry Cake, eau de vie, German Schnaps, Kirschwasser, liqueur, Schwarzwaelder Kirschtorte
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Has German Ostalgie run its course?

Monday, February 1st, 2016

German Ostalgie has largely run its course according to a recent poll commissioned by Deutsche Welle, Germany’s international broadcaster. Deutsche Welle aims at audiences outside of Germany and is available via television, radio and the Internet.

What is Ostalgie?

“Ostalgie” is a hybrid word that popped up following German reunification in 1990. It implies nostalgia for the former east and a longing for a prior way of life. After having been absorbed by, but not totally integrated into, West Germany, many former East Germans began to fondly recall the “bad” old days. They felt nostalgic toward certain aspects of their former lives that had suddenly disappeared: They felt a loss of community and equality; they missed certain foods that were no longer stocked; GDR-themed (East German) items became popular http://www.walled-in-berlin.com/j-elke-ertle/ampelmaennchen-former-east-berliners/and http://www.walled-in-berlin.com/j-elke-ertle/ampelmann-to-marry-ampelfrau/; memoirs of growing up Ossi (Eastern) began to fill bookstore shelves, they missed familiar television shows; and a general yearning for the lost socialist system of government developed.

Ostalgie turned into cash – Ampelmann Shop in Berlin-Mitte with the beloved East German traffic light man as a theme. photo © J. Elke Ertle, 2015

An example of Ostalgie was the 2003 German blockbuster movie, “Good- Bye Lenin.” In this fictional story, a young man tries to keep political reality from his mother after she suffered a serious heart attack and coma. His mother, a dedicated socialist, experienced the coronary event just before the fall of the Wall. When her doctor suggests that the slightest upset might cause another, possibly fatal, heart attack, the son invents elaborate schemes to sustain his mother’s illusion that the German Democratic Republic still exists. When the mother unexpectedly wanders outside while the son is asleep, she sees the giant statue of Lenin being helicoptered away (to read about the real-life fate of the Lenin statue, visit http://walled-in-berlin.com/j-elke-ertle/comrade-lenin-is-back/)

Has Ostalgie run its course?

Twenty-six years later, the answer is – Mostly. The use of terms like “Ossis” for East Germans and “Wessis” for West Germans – so common after reunification – has greatly decreased. In September 2015, Deutsche Welle commissioned a survey to find out how Germans see their society 25 years after reunification. http://www.dw.com/en/dw-poll-united-but-not-yet-one/a-18740932 The pollsters questioned more than 1,000 Germans aged 18 and older about their attitude toward reunification. They found the younger generation to be more positive about the reunification than their parents and grandparents. The 45-59-age-group is the least satisfied. Seventy-nine percent of 18-29 year olds (born just before or after reunification) think that German reunification was an overall success while 69% of 45-59 year olds (in their twenties and thirties when the wall came down) agreed. When asked whether German reunification brought them personal advantages or disadvantages, 65% of 18-29-year-olds saw mainly advantages while 14% saw chiefly disadvantages. In the 45-59-age-group, 53% perceived primarily advantages while 21% saw predominantly disadvantages.

Overall, 90% of the 18-29-age-group felt that Germany’s reunification set a good example for other countries, while 77% in the 45-59-group felt that way. Differences between responses from the former East and West had decreased. It appears that the former East/West divide no longer shapes people’s identity and that Ostalgie is largely a thing of the past.

Tags: "Good-Bye Lenin", Deutsche Welle, German Democratic Republic, German reunification, Lenin, nostalgia, Ossi, Ostalgie, Wessi
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Mandatory Church Tax Debate

Monday, January 25th, 2016

How would you like your government to collect a mandatory Church Tax from you every year? German taxpayers have no choice in the matter.

German citizens must indicate their religious affiliation on their tax return. Based on affiliation they will most likely be obligated to pay a compulsory, annual Kirchensteuer, a Church Tax. The two largest religious communities in Germany — Catholics and Protestants — are required to pay the tax, but smaller denominations — such as Unitarians and Jewish communities — participate in the compulsory Church Tax assessment as well. The state collects the tax and passes it on to the appropriate religious community. The mandatory Church Tax amounts to 8% or 9% of income and includes a 3% collection fee that goes to the government. Should the tax be mandatory? Should it be collected by the state? These are questions that have been the subject of an ongoing debate in Germany.

How did Church Tax collection start?

With the Reichsdeputationshauptschluss (Principal Decree of the Imperial Deputation) of 1803, churches lost their constitutional role in Germany. The financial support from kings and princes who had formerly ruled the land had suddenly evaporated. Larger German states were forced to annex smaller ones, and church possessions were given to princes in need. To compensate the churches for their loss of income and to afford them new means of meeting expenditures, the government instituted a Church Tax. http://www.german-way.com/history-and-culture/germany/religion-in-germany/ The first community to introduce the Church tax was the former German state of Lippe-Detmold. It did so in 1827. In 1887, the former state of Wuerttemberg followed suit. Prussia followed in 1905/06 and Bavaria in 1912. In 1919, Church Tax collection by the state became law. In 1949, West Germany anchored the provision in its new Constitution. Since then, the state-collected Church Tax has been mandatory in Germany with one exception: East Germany ceased to collect it between 1956 and the reunification. At that time, however, the Church Tax was reintroduced in East Germany. Needless to say, the reinstatement still irritates the people in the former eastern states.

How does anyone become subject to Church Tax?

When a person is babtized, he or she automatically becomes a member of that church. No membership application is required. Only individuals who have formally left the church are exempt from paying Church Tax. Until 1965, even a non-denominational husband was obligated to pay Church Tax for his wife if she belonged to a church. He was compelled to pay the tax even if his wife did not work outside the home. My father so resented this requirement that he left the church altogether. (Read “A Matter of Faith” in my memoir, Walled-In: A West Berlin Girl’s Journey to Freedom).

How much Church Tax is collected?

In 2011 the income from Church Tax amounted to 4.9 billion euros for the Catholic Church and 4.4 billion euros for the Protestant Church. http://www.german-way.com/history-and-culture/germany/religion-in-germany/ In 2013 this figure increased to 5.5 billion euros for the Catholic Church and 4.8 billion euros for the Protestant Church.

How is the Church Tax spent?

Although the largest portion of the churches’ income is derived from Church Tax, the houses of God also receive income from investments, leases, rents, government grants, donations and inheritances. In addition, the German state pays a combined half a billion euros to Catholic and Protestant churches to compensate them for the expropriations in 1803. Nearly three-quarters of all church income pays for personnel costs (pastors, deacons, parish helpers, clerks, educators, social workers, and the management and administrative staff). Most of the remainder pays for the construction and maintenance of buildings, pensions and reserves. http://www.sueddeutsche.de/geld/kirchensteuer-der-weg-von-gottes-geld-1.2207208 Should churches use less of their income to meet personnel costs and more to help the poor? Yes, says Pope Francis. He wants the church to care less about the preservation of the institution and more about the people who are marginalized.

Tags: church tax, German reunification, Kirchensteuer, Pope Francis, Principal Decree of the Imperial Deputation, Reichsdeputationshauptschluss
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Obama at the 2016 Hannover Messe

Monday, January 18th, 2016

Every year, the organizers of the Hannover Messe (Hanover Trade Fair) in Germany invite a leading industrialized nation to be a partner country. In 2016, the United States will be this guest of honor at the world’s biggest trade fair for industrial technology. U.S. President Barack Obama will address the opening ceremonies on 24 April and join German Chancellor Angela Merkel for the traditional opening tour the following day. It is the first time since 1996 that the United States will have partner status at the Hannover Messe. And it is the first time in history that a sitting American president will participate in the fair. What does it mean to be a partner country?

The Hannover Messe attracts approximately 6,500 exhibitors and 200,000 visitors from around the world. Partner countries are given the opportunity to showcase themselves as an attractive place for investment and to reinforce their reputation as manufacturers of competitive, high-quality products.

How long has the Hannover Messe been in existence?

The fair had its start in 1947, two years after World War II had ended. Germany’s economy was broken and the country was divided into four occupation zones. (http://www.walled-in-berlin.com/j-elke-ertle/allied-control-council-governs-germany) Hannover was located in the British zone.

Allied Occupation Zones of Germany — 1945 to 1991

In an attempt to give Germany’s shattered economy a shot in the arm, the British military government mandated a trade fair. An “Export Messe Hannover” was put together in just 99 days. Its humble motto was, “Export instead of Resign.” That first fair took place in an undamaged factory building near Hannover. Almost all the exhibitors and visitors were German. The two highlights of the fair were the smallest diesel motor in the world and an artificial tooth. Still, “Export Messe Hannover” was a hit.

From Fischbroetchenmesse to Hannover Messe

In 1947, food rationing was still in effect in Germany. To attract customers and exhibitors, fair officials offered Fischbroetchen (fish hoagies) without requiring ration cards. Fish hoagies are crispy buns filled with fish, onions, sour pickles and tarter sauce. Quickly, the fair became known as the Fischbroetchenmesse (fish hoagie fair). The small trade fair was repeated the next year and the year after that. Eventually, it morphed into the world’s biggest trade fair for industrial technology, surpassing in popularity the already established Leipzig Trade Fair.

U.S. involvement in the 2016 Hannover Messe

Each year, exhibitors showcase new products along the entire industrial chain on 5.3-million square feet of fairgrounds. This year, approximately 250 U.S. companies will exhibit between 25 April and 29 April. American manufacturers will have an opportunity to grow their operations into Europe and Asia, and German manufacturers may find ways of expanding their operations into the United States.

Tags: "Export instead of Resign", Export Messe Hannover, Fischbroetchenmesse, Hannover Messe, Hannover Trade Fair, Leipzig Trade Fair, partner country, President Barack Obama
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City Pissoir – Urinary Discrimination?

Monday, January 11th, 2016

When I focused my camera on the famous Kaiser Wilhelm Gedaechtnis Kirche (Emperor Wilhelm Memorial Church) in Berlin’s city center, a shiny, ultramodern structure obstructed my view. The inscription above the frosted front door read, “City Pissoir.” A caricature on the door instantly reminded me of Manneken Pis, Brussels’ famous 1700s sculpture, and left no doubt that this contemporary edifice provided a terminus for urgent calls.

City Pissoir at Breitscheidplatz in Berlin, Germany Photo © J. Elke Ertle, 2015. www.walled-in-berlin.com

What is a pissoir?

The term comes from the Middle French pisser, to urinate. And indeed, a pissoir is a French invention dating back to the mid-1800s. It is a structure that provides support and screening for public urinals without incurring the expense of constructing an enclosed building. Pissoirs were created to reduce the likelihood of urination onto sidewalks and buildings.

History of the Pissoir

In the 1700s, Paris was one of the dirtiest cities in Europe. People openly urinated in the street until the city’s major placed “barrels of easement” on all street corners. These barrels were meant to clean up the streets by clustering the problem in specific locations. Then in 1841, different fixtures took their place in Paris: Crude metal structures that sheltered public urinals. They were called pissoirs or pissotières. In 1850, Napoleon III commissioned Baron Georges-Eugene Haussman to install them throughout the city. By the 1930s, Paris counted about 1,200 of these structures.

Soon, other cities followed the example. In Berlin, the first pissoirs were erected in 1863. By the 1960s pissoirs started to fall out of fashion again, and in the 1980s the present-day Sanisette toilets were introduced in Paris. David Jaggard writes,” Sanisette toilets were developed by the same company that runs the Vélib bike rental system, JCDecaux (corporate motto: ‘From piddles to pedals’.”

Berlin’s City Pissoir

Berlin’s City Pissoir at the Breitscheidplatz is provided by the Wall AG, an International street furniture supplier and outdoor advertiser. It was installed in 2003. Made from power-coated aluminum panels and frosted safety glass, it is definitely high-tech. Motion sensors activate the flushing mechanism and the interior lighting. Motion sensors also activate the basin faucet so that users can wash their hands without having to touch the faucets. But guess what? Berlin’s City Pissoir is for men only, just like in the 1800s! The interior of Berlin’s City Pissoir is divided into urinal and lavatory compartments. A small drain hole is installed in the floor of the urinal section. Definitely not appealing to women. Shall we call this “urinary discrimination?”

Why a pissoir at the Breitscheidplatz?

As it turns out, the Breitscheidplatz where the City Pissoir and the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedaechtniskirche are located is not only popular with tourists. It also appeals to locals, particularly following a soccer game when the men have been drinking. According to Sylvia von Kekulè, pastor at the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedaechtsniskirche, men have lined up regularly along the church walls to relieve themselves. After having received many complaints from the pastor and surrounding businesses, the city of Berlin hired the Wall AG to install this shiny and free City Pissoir. The only complaint is that it doesn’t take women’s needs into account.

Tags: Baron Georges-Eugene Haussman, barrels of easement, Berlin, Breitscheidplatz, JCDecaux, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedaechtniskirche (Emperor Wilhelm Memorial Church), Mannekin Pis, Napoleon III, Paris, Pissoir, Sylvia von Kekule, Wall AG
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Poesie Album – Facebook Predecessor?

Monday, January 4th, 2016

When I was a schoolgirl in Berlin, Germany, it was popular to own a poesie album. In a way, that little book was a forerunner of today’s Facebook account. Both connect family and friends. While poesie album holders got in touch with only one person at a time, Facebook users can connect with many in just one click. Yesteryear’s poesie album connections were slow and deliberate; today’s Facebook users can continuously stay in touch as long as they have access to the Internet.

History of the Poesie Album

Towards the end of the 16th century it became customary to write a motto into the family register of friends. By the 18th century these aphorisms often also included drawings. Eventually, poesie albums (also known as keepsake books, poetry books or friendship books) replaced family registers and became the depositories of verses and artistic contributions in which members of literary circles “immortalized” each other. Originally, only adults kept a poesie album. In the 20th century, the custom became popular with children – mostly girls – and rare with adults. For a brief period in the early 1980s, it was even fashionable among boys to keep a poesie album.

History of Facebook

Facebook is an online social networking website that was created by Mark Zuckerberg and his Harvard College roommates and fellow students. It made its debut in 2004. Once registered and at least 13 years of age, Facebook users can not only exchange information but also post photos and videos and share links, along with several other applications. Facebook users can even express their appreciation provided by clicking a “Like” button.

My Poesie Album

I was almost ten when my mother gave me a poesie album. It was deep red and measured approximately 6.5 by 5.5 inches. Every girl in my class owned one. It was an honor to be asked to write into someone else’s album. We used our finest handwriting and wrote classic, sentimental or whimsical rhymes and verses into each other’s books. While the right side of an open album bore the quotation, the left side remained reserved for illustrations or photographs.

In 1955, my mother made the first entry in my poesie album. Not wanting to miss a teaching moment she wrote, “Honor a mother’s heart as long as it beats. When it is broken, it is too late.” My father passed along a less guilt-producing morsel of wisdom when he penned, “Talk is silver; silence is golden.” A couple of years later, my best friend, a boy by the name of Juergen Bertram, shared his twelve-year-old take on the world. Over a period of five years, most of my girlfriends, teachers, aunts and cousins contributed aphorisms to my album. The verses often mirrored their personalities.

Poesie Album entry, Photo © J. Elke Ertle, 2015

In a way, I think it is sad that the poesie album has all but disappeared. Now it is a small window to the past. Can we call it a Facebook’s predecessor? The poesie-album-process was definitely slower, dreamier, quieter and more time-consuming than Facebook. Was it maybe also more selective and permanent? What are your thoughts?

Tags: Facebook, friendship book, Germany, Juergen Bertram, keepsake book, Poesie Album, poetry album
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Black Dot on White Paper

Monday, December 28th, 2015

As we are about to usher out 2016, I want to share a thought-provoking story. I am not sure where this tale originated, but it definitely provides food for thought. It is the story of the black dot on white paper. Here is how it goes:

Upon entering the classroom, a professor told his students that he was about to spring a pop quiz on them and handed out the tests, text facing down. Then he asked his students to turn over the paper. To their surprise, they were staring at a white sheet graced by a single black dot. Puzzled, they looked at their professor who calmly instructed the class to write a short essay on what they saw before them. The students went to work. They wrecked their brains. Uneasily, they scribbled down a few sentences. The task was tough. They tried to describe the location of the black dot, its size and its color. After all, what can you say about a black dot on white paper? When the allotted time was up, the professor collected the papers and proceeded to read the answers out loud. After all the papers had been read, the professor spoke again, “I am not going to grade you on this. But I want you to ponder something. Did you notice that each of you focused on the black dot? Not one of you wrote about the white part of the paper. The same applies to life. Life is like this large piece of white paper. All of life is there to enjoy. Yet we tend to focus on life’s limitations and imperfections, which is the black dot on the paper. Instead of enjoying the good things that surround us – home, family, friends and nature – we zoom in on the black dots – issues concerning health, relationship, work or finances. Even though the black dot is tiny in comparison to the white sheet, it becomes the focal point of our thoughts. As we embark on a new year, try to pay more attention to the good things in your life, enjoy each moment, think outside the box and keep the black dots in perspective.”

On that note, I wish you a wonderful 2016!

J. Elke Ertle

Tags: focus, limitations, perception, perspective, philosophy of life
Posted in J. Elke Ertle, Tête-à-Tête, Walled In Berlin | Comments Off on Black Dot on White Paper