75 years Elbe meeting (Part 4)
How (self-)conscious independence leads to a better Torgau
In a four-part series, Dr. Uwe Niedersen, member of the board of the Förderverein Europa Begegnungen deals
with the Elbe meeting on its 75th anniversary. His thesis: Torgau remains well below its potential, both internally and externally.
Within the series Niedersen draws a blueprint based on how a better Torgau can be created.
Torgau.
The International Saxon Singers' Academy, a clever idea that has already proven its practicability on several occasions, could perhaps rise to become an example of internationally renowned music pedagogy and singing methodology to be mimicked. How this could be carried out in a way being obvious to the outside of Torgau will have to be evaluated and decided by those involved.
What about Samuel Hahnemann (from Torgau) and the homeopathic medicine he developed? Unfortunately, this is rather sad. Nobody from Torgau or somewhere else wants to warm up for this promising Torgau topic. Of course, this should be done bysomeone who is interested in the topic and is capable of establishing international contacts. The topic Hahnemann might gain worldwide attention for Torgau!
I have just read about a new Hahnemann curator. Good luck to him.
However, there is something completely different, namely the Landesgartenschau (LAGA) in 2021. After a basic discussion with members of the board of directors of our association "Förderverein Europa Begegnungen e. V." invited by Bettina Klein (city administration) in 2018, the association agreed to contribute its extensive knowledge of Torgau Fortress during the preparation phase for the LAGA. Following the initial discussions, our association founded the international working group "Fortress and Garden". The topic is important, not only for the execution of the LAGA, but also for its theoretical and content-related position.
About LAGA: There are a few cities with a fortress and still have the glacis that belongs to fortresses. The Torgau Fortress consists of such a glacis that is supposed to become greener these days together with the valorization of the overall fortress. The Torgau structure of "Fortress and Garden" would become a unique structure, and implementation of the concept could raise national and international attention.
We will follow up on this topic.
The Förderverein Europa Begegnungen e. V. has developed a multi-volume Torgau fortress compilation about noteworthy for content. Independent, theoretical foundations would thus be available in Torgau.
We hope that the involvement in the "LAGA" with the "Fortress and Garden" concept will make Torgau perceptible internationally.
A few remarks about a "Torgau independence" will now be added:
Torgau on an international level should be conceived and organized independently. Of course, there should be first-rate experts involved, depending on the topic at hand. Without these people from outside, we would not be able to achieve any results that would be respected worldwide.
But we must show self-confidence. Outsiders shouldn’t be too often be involved, they rather should add-on their experience with us staying as main actors. Unfortunately Torgau has not yet achieved the best possible results.
The contentprepared here in Torgau must be created fitting with our style, of course, with the support of outside experts. There should always be a label "Made in Torgau".
"Torgau autonomy", which we must pay attention to, has to be recognizable on all levels.
Mentioning all levels, I would like to give an example that might be less significant. It will explain itself. There have been plans for this year's special 75 Years Elbe Day to have a group of Russian and American patriots who would re-enact the general meeting of the two armies (Red Army and US Army). The first Torgau General's Meeting on 26 April 1945 was, as is well known, carried out using the sports boats of the Torgau Rowing Club. Russians and Americans wanted to redo the meeting at the Elbe by crossing with boats today in their historical uniforms. Today's Torgau rowers were to provide the rowing boats for the crossing of the Elbe.
The Förderverein Europa Begegnungen e. V., wrote down the exact history and had been asked to accompany the scenario according to a request by the Russian and American. Butthe Torgauer Ruderverein e.V. and the Förderverein Europa Begegnungen e.V. thought about a more visible scenario.
We thought this would respect the "Torgau independence". But how should such an independence be recognizable?
It could have been achieved by presenting the Torgauer tradition of rowing by the Torgauer Ruderverein (since 1909) and the importance of the rowing club for the social life of Torgau in 1945 and today with a few words before the military re-enactment was about to get started.
Historical boats from 1945, if still available, should be presented during the "spectacle" and possibly used. There is a memorial in the rowing club where today’s Athletes from Torgau are honoring their rowing comrades who died in the war.
Carved into the stone: “Our fallen and deceased rowing comrades in honorable memory”.
The Russians, Americans and probably also Ukrainians involved in the re-enactment of the encounter with the Torgau rowing boats could have taken part in the commemoration of their sports comrades who died in and around Torgau.
This would have been only a small event of the program item "Historical re-enactment". But it would have represented the"Torgau independence".
It is probably true that the Elbe encounter between the Soviets and Americans ‐ seems to remain the core of Torgau's international perception of history currently. But we must not let this important topic fade away! The Elbe Day, which has also become a Day of Reconciliation, must be kept alive by the citizens of Torgau by introducing new ideas.
As mentioned above, when we discussed Abraham Miletskij, it was the Elbe Encounter that made Jerusalem move towards Torgau. The Jerusalem handshake with Torgau means reconciliation and offers our city some future opportunities. A Torgau-Jerusalem handshake, recommended by the Israelis in 2000, could be reactivated, if Torgau wants it. At the beginning of the series we discussed whether Torgau would be able to engage such cities as Jerusalem, St. Petersburg and Chicago these days.
The answer is yes, to some extent this seems possible, with selected Torgau topics and interested and qualified Torgau citizens of Torgau business and culture.
A few people interested in the feasibility of such a project, i.e. suitable people from the business and culture community, as well as from city council, want to talk about it.
Objective: To dare to make Torgau even better!
What about Samuel Hahnemann (from Torgau) and the homeopathic medicine he developed? Unfortunately, this is rather sad. Nobody from Torgau or somewhere else wants to warm up for this promising Torgau topic. Of course, this should be done bysomeone who is interested in the topic and is capable of establishing international contacts. The topic Hahnemann might gain worldwide attention for Torgau!
Opportunity State Garden Show
I have just read about a new Hahnemann curator. Good luck to him.
However, there is something completely different, namely the Landesgartenschau (LAGA) in 2021. After a basic discussion with members of the board of directors of our association "Förderverein Europa Begegnungen e. V." invited by Bettina Klein (city administration) in 2018, the association agreed to contribute its extensive knowledge of Torgau Fortress during the preparation phase for the LAGA. Following the initial discussions, our association founded the international working group "Fortress and Garden". The topic is important, not only for the execution of the LAGA, but also for its theoretical and content-related position.
About LAGA: There are a few cities with a fortress and still have the glacis that belongs to fortresses. The Torgau Fortress consists of such a glacis that is supposed to become greener these days together with the valorization of the overall fortress. The Torgau structure of "Fortress and Garden" would become a unique structure, and implementation of the concept could raise national and international attention.
We will follow up on this topic.
The Förderverein Europa Begegnungen e. V. has developed a multi-volume Torgau fortress compilation about noteworthy for content. Independent, theoretical foundations would thus be available in Torgau.
Appear confident
We hope that the involvement in the "LAGA" with the "Fortress and Garden" concept will make Torgau perceptible internationally.
A few remarks about a "Torgau independence" will now be added:
Torgau on an international level should be conceived and organized independently. Of course, there should be first-rate experts involved, depending on the topic at hand. Without these people from outside, we would not be able to achieve any results that would be respected worldwide.
But we must show self-confidence. Outsiders shouldn’t be too often be involved, they rather should add-on their experience with us staying as main actors. Unfortunately Torgau has not yet achieved the best possible results.
The contentprepared here in Torgau must be created fitting with our style, of course, with the support of outside experts. There should always be a label "Made in Torgau".
Torgau rowers
"Torgau autonomy", which we must pay attention to, has to be recognizable on all levels.
Mentioning all levels, I would like to give an example that might be less significant. It will explain itself. There have been plans for this year's special 75 Years Elbe Day to have a group of Russian and American patriots who would re-enact the general meeting of the two armies (Red Army and US Army). The first Torgau General's Meeting on 26 April 1945 was, as is well known, carried out using the sports boats of the Torgau Rowing Club. Russians and Americans wanted to redo the meeting at the Elbe by crossing with boats today in their historical uniforms. Today's Torgau rowers were to provide the rowing boats for the crossing of the Elbe.
Director's book
The Förderverein Europa Begegnungen e. V., wrote down the exact history and had been asked to accompany the scenario according to a request by the Russian and American. Butthe Torgauer Ruderverein e.V. and the Förderverein Europa Begegnungen e.V. thought about a more visible scenario.
We thought this would respect the "Torgau independence". But how should such an independence be recognizable?
It could have been achieved by presenting the Torgauer tradition of rowing by the Torgauer Ruderverein (since 1909) and the importance of the rowing club for the social life of Torgau in 1945 and today with a few words before the military re-enactment was about to get started.
Historical boats from 1945, if still available, should be presented during the "spectacle" and possibly used. There is a memorial in the rowing club where today’s Athletes from Torgau are honoring their rowing comrades who died in the war.
Carved into the stone: “Our fallen and deceased rowing comrades in honorable memory”.
Centerpiece
The Russians, Americans and probably also Ukrainians involved in the re-enactment of the encounter with the Torgau rowing boats could have taken part in the commemoration of their sports comrades who died in and around Torgau.
This would have been only a small event of the program item "Historical re-enactment". But it would have represented the"Torgau independence".
It is probably true that the Elbe encounter between the Soviets and Americans ‐ seems to remain the core of Torgau's international perception of history currently. But we must not let this important topic fade away! The Elbe Day, which has also become a Day of Reconciliation, must be kept alive by the citizens of Torgau by introducing new ideas.
As mentioned above, when we discussed Abraham Miletskij, it was the Elbe Encounter that made Jerusalem move towards Torgau. The Jerusalem handshake with Torgau means reconciliation and offers our city some future opportunities. A Torgau-Jerusalem handshake, recommended by the Israelis in 2000, could be reactivated, if Torgau wants it. At the beginning of the series we discussed whether Torgau would be able to engage such cities as Jerusalem, St. Petersburg and Chicago these days.
The answer is yes, to some extent this seems possible, with selected Torgau topics and interested and qualified Torgau citizens of Torgau business and culture.
A few people interested in the feasibility of such a project, i.e. suitable people from the business and culture community, as well as from city council, want to talk about it.
Objective: To dare to make Torgau even better!
Crossing of the Elbe with sport boats of the former rowing club. Here with one sponsored by the Torgau Papierverarbeitungsfirma Franz Hermann Schmidt.
Photos: Repro Förderverein Europa Begegnungen e.V.
Elector, councils and reformers in one. Photo: Repro Förderverein Europa Begegnungen e.V.
Hartenfels Castle, a fortress of God - Wing B structurally disguises "Faith and Power". Photo: G. Milling