International Literacy Day, proclaimed by UNESCO in 1965, is celebrated on 8 September since 1966.

Who assumes that the inability to be able to read and write properly is a problem of developing countries or immigrants, is very much mistaken.

Today the sum of illiterate people in Germany is estimated to be ca. four million people.

For comparison: Berlin, Germany’s largest city has ca. 3.4 million inhabitants. In other words, more people than all the inhabitants of Berlin are not able to read and write properly in Germany.

That’s quite a figure.

(Even if four million still make up only a small part of the whole population of Germany.)

And that in a time when reading and writing gets more and more important as the internet grows more and more important.

But what good can it do to blog about illiteracy (since all of us are able to read and write!). Or those nice ads on TV that encourage illiterate people to learn how to read and write—if someone is unable to read and write, how are they supposed to write down that phone number and address?

Point the first:

Today can remind us—who are lucky enough to regard being able to read and to write as nothing special—that it IS rather special to be able to read and to write. The education that has enabled us to learn how to read and how to write is special. It has taken us centuries to get to the point where that kind of education is no longer “special” in this country. In many countries, and for many groups of people in many countries, this basic education is still special. Especially girls are still being excluded from this kind of education.

To be able to read and write is special.

The fact that this ability and the opportunity to acquire this ability seems unremarkble to us is a privilege.

Now and again we should remember that.

Point the second:

There are people, and not just in distant troubled regions but right next door, who cannot read and write properly. Not necessarily because they are intellectually unable to, but because they eventually got left behind. Without additional support it was eventually too late for them to catch up.

Those people are excluded from many things and areas of life. From the job market and acquiring welfare money because you have to fill in forms for that, to the many opportunities offered by the internet, to the simple joy of reading a book, a story, or a poem.

Not exactly something to be proud of as a society, four million illiterate citiziens. Even if that still may be a sound percentage with regard to the whole population.

You can draw conclusions from that realisation.

For example, at the next election you can take a look at the educational policies of the various parties. And you can cast your vote with that in mind.

Or when you contemplate donating money for a good cause, why not for literacy? In Germany, or anywhere in the world.

Point the third:

Reading and writing are more than a useful cultural technique.

Reading and writing are forms of art. Not just skills.Real art.

Reading and writing are beautiful.

Reading and writing are fun.

I remember well how happy I was about finally learning how to read and write. To read stories, to write stories. That was one of the huge miracles of my childhood.

And such a miracle is a reason for a celebration even twentyseven years later!

Therefore:

Don’t be content with reading and writing mails for your job today, to give dictation to your secretary, to study a company report, to write a shopping list.

Today, on World Literacy Day, how about reading a poem for the first time in years?  How about writing a love letter on real paper? How about reading something to a loved one that has touched you deeply?

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Today is World Literacy Day

Last weekend an invitation for a birthday party from our good friend M. took us to Castle Ravensberg in the Teutoburg Forest.

A castle as such is already a very spiffy place for a birthday party, but M. had come up with something really special: a medieval party on a castle!

Therefore the guests had to appear in garb: as knights, damsels, squires, wenches, monks, thieves … or witches and wizards.

U. and I had been wanting to acquire some medieval garb for ages to appear “in style” at medieval fairs — and to maybe even look into participating in the “Society for Creative Anachronism” or take part in a Live Action Role Play.

So that was a brilliant opportunity for us to finally put those plans into action.

It was not easy to decide what to get! Various online shops for medieval garb offered a wide selection of costumes, first and foremost the Ritterladen (the “Knights’ Shop”) and Mittlalter.Net. But after lots of consideration we finally arrived at a decission: U. would be a knight Franconiae (wearing the colours of his Catholic, colour-showing, non-duelling fraternity Frankonia-Czernowitz of the CV at Erlangen), while I’d be simply his wife and damsel.

Stylistically, we based our costumes loosely on the late medieval manuscript “Les Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry”. Therefore some kind of cap and wide sleeves were an absolute necessity for me! But a practical belt pouch had to be included, too — big enough for everything you need in the Middle Ages: Sony eReader, mobile phone, digital camera, iPod …

The costumes arrived in time, fit perfectly and then we could barely wait to finally try them out for real. U. was especially looking forward to striking a threatening pose in his long black cloak at night, while I was curious how I’d fare with the long dress and those immense sleeves.

Last Saturday we finally started out northwards, packed up with medieval garb and gear. The journey went well and nearly as planned (apart from a not anticipated traffic diversion in Bielefeld). After nap in the hotel it was time to get out the garb and dress up.

And off we went. After a short trip with the bus we had to climb the mountain up to the castle.

Up at the castle various medieval folk was already waiting for us: a gleeman, buskers, a bow man, rope makers …

After the welcome speech we presented our host with his birthday gift. Together with our friends U2. and N. we had acquired a drinking horn with our well-wishes burnt in as ornaments.

Quickly it turned out that we had not come to Castle Ravensberg just for fun. A guided tour of the castle was a must — including a climb of the tower. I have to say climbing the narrow winding stairs was quite an adventure. Especially if you’re not really fond of heights like me. But the view was really worth it in the end.

The tower was also the perfect background to take some pictures of knights and damsels.

Once we reached solid ground again, it was time for even more warlike activities! Shooting with a bow takes lots of skill and training … U. was very intent and serious about it, but sadly he only managed to adorn the hare on the target with an ear piercing. For the “roast” we had to rely on N.. Shooting the hare straight through the head she saw to it that … at least theoretically … we wouldn’t go hungry … at least as long as the hare wouldn’t start moving …

Afterwards it was time for the banquet. And even though it was not quite medieval, there was a selection of various cold and warm dishes to be sampled and enjoyed. Later it was time for some entertainment: a choir sang a few songs for our host and the show of a fire-juggler was really impressive.

At dusk and with quickly darkening clouds and a fresh breeze it got cool quickly. A good thing if you had a warm cloak with you!

It was way after midnight when we finally climbed down from the castle. The drive home on Sunday was as awful as the party was wonderful (all of Germany seemed to be stuck in various and sundry traffic jams, it took us nearly eight instead of five hours to get home!), but all in all it was a really terrific weekend. Most of all: our garb was a great success — and we both agree that we have to find another opportunity soon to show off our medieval garb and gear!

( More pictures » )

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Medieval Party!

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For such events my grandfather always dusted off  an old pun: “Alles hat ein Ende, nur die Wurst hat zwei.” (Which means something like “There’s an end to everything, except for sausages — they get two.”

Anyhow, on May 20 was the last night of my very very first, itty-bitty-tiny-weeny exhibition.

Taking stock I don’t really know what to say! This time last year I didn’t even dream of ever having an exhibition of my art.  And now several hundred people have seen my pictures — among them two whole forms of the local Hauptschule (secondary general school), the visitors of the Solar Energy Day event and the Museum’s Day, the member of the Bavarian parliament Christa Naaß  and her colleagues from the local Social Democrats, many individual visitors, old and new friends …

The events I hosted during the exhibition were a success, too. Especially the troll-painting workshop for children (and those young at heart) was a favourite. But the events were remarkable, too, with a lovely atmosphere, lots of creativity and interesting conversations.

Oh, the conversations — it’s still so new and strange for me to talk about my art! Even though I’ve been doing art all my life and even majored in art for college level at school, I’ve never really seen myself as an artist. Art and creativity were simply a part of my life, always. I never thought beyond that.

And now I’m already planning the next exhibition for November!

But back to the Finissage, the closing night of my exhibition:

It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon and a bright, warm evening. I couldn’t have hoped for a nicer atmosphere for my last event.

The formal part of the evening was quick and painless, as the saying goes. After I said a few words of welcome, I presented the third mayor and  liasion for the community centre Norbert Schuster with a framed, numbered and signed print of my picture “Bromdrache” (“Brom-Dragon”).

Afterwards the mayor made a short speech and couldn’t refrain from pointing out that I’ve already been drafter for another creative project: an afternoon of painting root pictures as a part of the holiday programme for children that the community cente offers in June.

The absolute highlight of the evening was a very special gift I received: Pleinfeld painter and poet Irmi Klotz who also attended my project nightDas absolute Highlight des Abends war für mich aber ein ganz besonderes Geschenk: die Pleinfelder Künstlerin und Dichterin Irmi Klotz, wrote a poem for my newest, as yet unfinished painting!

I think it’s hard to think of a better ending for a first exhibition!

Apart from the slightly scary thought that “after the exhibition is before the exhibition”, there’s really only one thing left to say:

Thank you very much to everyone who has supported me during the last months and who encouraged me, to everyone who visited my exhibition and to everyone who wanted to come, but couldn’t because circumstances didn’t allow it. I don’t have the words to express how much your encouragement and your support have meant to me.

As a small “Thank-You” I’ve prepared a little gift for you: the catalogue to go with my exhibition, including three of my favourite pictures and the stories to go with them, is now available as e-catalogue for downloading, saving, printing, perusing, reading, and hopefully, for your enjoyment!

“Märchenbilder — Bildermärchen”:
e-catalogue for the exhibition of Stephanie Thoma-Kellner (in English!)

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Addendum: Finissage

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Explanation: in my spare time I work as the manager of the Pleinfeld museum for local history and brewery. This museum takes up nearly a whole wing  and three floors with hundreds of objects of the Steward’s Mansion. The exhibits range from a wooden plough to a historical shop, from to a book of town council minutes from the 17th century to an antique Roman spear point.

The Museum’s Day is the highlight of the year for the Pleinfeld museum.

The International Museum’s Day, which is celebrated by museums around the world in the middle of May since 1977, presents a great opportunity to show that even small museums for local history have a lot to offer. And this year Pleinfeld also had an anniversary to celebrate:

160 years railway station Pleinfeld!

As a part of the Ludwig South-North Railway, Pleinfeld was connected to the railway already in 1849.

With a lecture from Dr. Rainer Mertens (an expert on railroad history from the German Railway Museum in Nuremberg) and a discussion round about “Railroad Memories — history and stories” on Saturday evening, a model train market, two special exhibitions and the presentation of a newly edited and supplemented chronicle of local railway history on Sunday,  the Museum’s Day was a big event, and a great success.

Saturday evening I counted nearly 60 visitors, on Sunday almost 150 adults and 40-50 children came up to the mansion to have a look at the model train market, the exhibitions and the museum. Local newspapers sent reporters over on both days.

The weather was wonderful and the atmosphere very relaxed and comfortable. From the feedback I got, I think that all visitors enjoyed themselves.

For me it was a LOT of work. I had to edit and supplement the railway chronicle, put together the exhibition, organise all the individual events during the course of the weekend including the catering … when my husband and I finally made our way home on Sunday evening, I’d been on the go from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. nearly without a break! My feet were absolutely killing me.

… and now I know more about railway history than I ever wanted to know. But I guess that’s an occupational hazard of a museum manager!

(Note: This post is only a summary of a longer entry in German that may be found HERE.)

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Addendum: Museum’s Day 2009

On May 1 the “Infozentrum Seenland” — the Lake District Info Centre — at the Mandles Mill near the Brombach Lake opened its gates once more. As one of the weekend and holiday supervisors I had the pleasure of starting the second season for this small, but excellent museum.

Because the title “Infozentrum” — Info Centre — is somewhat misleading: the “Infozentrum Seenland” is actually not a general tourist information, but a real museum. However, there’s indeed lots of information to be found there — about the development and construction of the “Neue Fränkische Seenland” (the New Franconian Lake District). 300m² exhibition space are devoted to interesting explanations of how and why our lakes were created. The modern concept of the exhibition works extremely well: visitors can select movies to watch, sound-bytes to listen to and try out participatory elements. That way there’s a lot to discover for both old(er) and young(er) visitors. This year there are even picture books for the youngest visitors available. In other words, the info centre has something to offer to the whole family.

If you want to know more about it all, I can recommend the following brochure: “Water Transfer Danube/Main-Rhine”

My day at the info centre starts a quarter to ten in the morning with opening the heavy wooden doors. Then I start up the technical applications: the internet console and the projectors with the movies boot, lights go on … and on the first (American second) floor there’s still a buggy recording that starts without anyone pressing the relevant button.

That early in the morning I’m still alone and can take a walk around the mill to check if everything’s all right. Spring has sprung …

Everything’s green and decked out in blossoms. This year apple trees, lilacs and horse chestnuts are blooming at the same time.

Apart from new seats outside nothing much has changed around here since last season.

There, everything’s all right. Now the visitors can come.

Just for a little while this snail remained the only visitor.

This year, thanks to the beautiful weather on Labour Day (May 1, a national holiday in Germany), there are lots of people around and about. Shortly after ten o’clock the first group of visitors arrives.

At 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. it’s time for a movie: next door in the projection room I run a documentation about the origins of the Neue Fränkische Seenland (the New Franconian Lake District) that summarises the whole story in an interesting and easily understandable manner.

For larger groups of visitors — like those early birds on May 1 — I show the movie at other times, too, of course, no problem at all.

Later the centre is never empty. Families, cyclists, hikers, local people, tourists … at the end of the day I had counted nearly 200 visitors!

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Addendum: it’s May!

My husband and I spent the last weekend in Bad Ischl, Austria.

And of course even a short trip means lots of stories and adventures to share.

(Oh, and of course brilliant pictures from a wonderful spring weekend in the Salzkammergut!)

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Bad Ischl

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And Pleinfeld has a sister-city, too: Killarney in Irland!

What a great opportunity to get out some old pictures from my big trip to Killarney in 2007:

… in the city …

… Lough Leane …

… Mayor Miehling plants a tree to honour the town-twinning at the gaelic school …

… and how beautiful: Dingle Penninsula …

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Killarney!

Today is World Book and Copyright Day.

I’ve celebrated the day by ordering two new books at libri.de  (I wanted to buy them anyway, but if that nice gift of an anthology with short stories is only available today, I’ll make the sacrifice and place my order today and not tomorrow …).

Apart from that I’ve received the charger and the “Advanced Screen Protector” for my newest book: the newest Sony eReader!

The eReader is terribly elegant in its cool black leather cover that I bought specially for the device:

Apart from that it’s small …

And thin.

It fits into my handbag!

And is easy to hold, too.

Quickly hooked up to the laptop and I transfer twenty books to it in a blink. And I’ve still not used even half of the storage space. Now there are finally no hard choices anymore concerning just how many books I’ll take with me on a short trip! I’ll just take a whole library of my favourites and will still carry not even 300g without the cover …

Simple brilliant!

schläfrig – sleepy

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World Book Day

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“Wir malen einen Troll! Toll!” —  “We paint a troll! Great!”  Magical painting for children and those young at heart

I was thrilled to welcome a whole birthday party. Apart from that, Reinhold and Rita Schmidt from the Pax Christi Café of Peace stopped by with their grandson.

First we looked at the paintings with roots and my “lake creatures”. Then I presented my very own troll with picture and story.

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We paint a troll!

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Impressions from the Opening Night

We got very lucky with the weather. Glorious Easter sunshine allowed us to leave the door and a window open.

Everything was decorated in bright spring colours.

Soon the first visitors showed up.

And enjoyed the pictures …

… and also the champagne!

And the artist?

… is thrilled!

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Opening Night!

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