Münch(e)ner Freiheit: Munich is not Berlin

Almut Leitner
Mia san mia
Mia san mia…

Reached Munich on the motorway coming from the North, and if you are lucky with the weather, then… well, then you have one of the most beautiful panoramas in Germany right in front of you – Munich spread out in front of the Alpes in the background. Wonderful. And if you are able to bear the special warm Föhn days this panoramic view just leaves you just speechless.

Oh, speechless I have been as well. Not because of the panorama, although for a mountain girl like me it is thrilling still. It has been because I nearly walked into Reinhold Messner. Incredible –
had just been overwhelmed, have not been able to say any word, neither a whispered ‘Hello’.
But, had the chance to notice that he appeared to me like someone who is able to climb up the next mountain right away. Ah, would have asked him about the reason to be in Munich… special training? Special treatment? Anti-wrinkle Bavarian Cream? And some questions about his last museum on the Kronplatz and his alphabet, will it be continued? And so on and so on… Luckily,
did not loose speech the following days, and had the chance to listen to the warm Bavarian sounds and: Noticed that I myself suddenly tended to use Bavarian again.

Reason to be there? A new fair, a second satellite to the Paper Positions Berlin. Location:
Old Bavarian State Bank. The fair itself, nice, mostly fresh, new art for Munich – and well, yes,
had at least one fab there: Axel Milberg, with his typical ruffled hair. Good to see that there are
actors who just look like they are… And a good opportunity to meet galleries and people from
other cities you would never meet during the year. Next year, same place –
another Paper Positions in Munich.

In the same building, a fancy new hotel opened lately – the LOVELACE, a pop-up hotel for two years. I really do not know why the Süddeutsche Zeitung hyped it so much. Uncharmingly installed furniture, objects and neon lights, metal all over, looked like hammered into the building. To put up neon signage is a good idea – but totally ignoring the structure of buildings is just disgusting in my eyes. By the way – more examples to be found around the Maximiliansplatz – is nobody out there who told them about overall architectural impression? Or is it a new kind of modern bad taste, designed to be fashonable? But you do not want to be trapped with your fashonable pumps outside in the dark and nearly fall the stairs all over – downstairs – do you… A bit beasty I would say ‘typical men’s design’ or just: ‘Never tested’. I was wondering if not even the transvestite/ transsexual receptionist tested the stairs…Well, obviously the critic who praised the hotel is a) a very young one and is rating just everything that is new and different in town as hip, b) sponsored by the hotel / designers/ investors or c) has been drunk or drugged. I have to admit, did not test the rooms…

And this idea with the 1,500 seats Chinese restaurant at the Stachus… perhaps it will be the new cantina then for the Chinese white collar workers who will take over the Bayerische Landtag.
Or for the ones who still believe in digging for clean coal, or – thirdly – it is just a plan to make
Munich inhabitants ‘love’ Chinese food? Food by the way has been none of the fair’s services, at least a good bar serving small dishes has been right across the street at the entrance to the 5 Höfe. Literaturhaus also very close – but, please allow me to say, some of these restaurants looked a bit ‘too fast designed’– and sometimes lacked of atmosphere though.

As easy as the way to Munich has been by car, the more adventurous the way back to Berlin turned out to be by train. Storm Herwart has been responsible for some changes of travel plans… In the morning, still in bed, internet told me ‘train goes to Berlin’. Super. In the train, later,
Today this train will end in Leipzig.’ Well, OK, but no recommendations how to continue… So, after checking the busses and traffic on the motorway, clear decision: better to rent a car. Oh, suddenly a short stop on track: ‘We will continue as soon as I have the written order.’ Written order? Delivered by a mounted messenger? Oha. For a moment, I have not been quiet sure if I really had taken the right train… or did I happen to sit in a police train or one of the army instead? After an announcement that the train will finally go to Berlin (yeah!), I was able to cancel the rented car. After a short stop in Leipzig (which in the end turned out to last approximately an hour) the journey continued. And in Berlin: ‘This train will end at Südkreuz station today.’ Aha.
Another hurdle. Well. Up to the central platform, down to the announced platform, stepping right
into the train, only to hear: ‘Please change train, the train on platform 7 will go to Berlin main station.’ Do not expect the moving stairs working…

Finally, only half an hour later than expected I arrived at my appointment, hey, really good, under these circumstances, DB – and could collect Rusty again.

And Rusty, happy to see me again – kisses, kisses, baci – Rusty is really a sweet Bazi…
(the Bavarians have the final say though…).

Only Wasting Time? OR: Lipstick, Powder and Paint

Almut Leitner

Read an article in the Süddeutsche Zeitung a while ago, written by Mrs. Vahabzadeh, about the tremendous amount of lipsticks and other make up products you find everywhere – but always not exactly that lipstick you always prefer – gone from the market… The author’s argumentation is, if women had not been wasting their time for the search for the right lipstick (and in her eyes, the offer is just too enormous), they would have taken over the power over the world long ago.

Left me bewildered. Take over control and power, over the world? To reduce the offer of lipsticks then? To reduce everything? Well, we had that times with reduced products a while ago: “Bananas? Sorry, today potatoes only, but only ten.” Or: “Take that d**** lipstick now, there is no other.” Perhaps the author never had that glorious experience to chose a lipstick out of the great offer you find everywhere… never had a good sales personnel at her side to find the right one… Ah, too sad. I understand that the product lifecycles are sometimes ridiculous short, but:
a lipstick is not only a lipstick anymore, it is a product embedded in a whole range of
other make up products up to other accessories, clothes, hairdos etc.

Personal example: Bought me, in winter, no, not a lipstick, but make up, to cover a bit my
‘not so young anymore’ skin. Perfect service in the shop – the woman softly applied the make up
onto my skin. Result: Perfect look, fine and fresh. Then, went outside into daylight:
Ui, a bit too dark… know what? In the end, 2 days later, I bought a lighter make up too. Marketing?
Well… more a kind of a self made marketing… in order to find the perfect make up combination
for inside and outside. And I was able to forget about the effort of another sales woman
at the first visit, tried to sell me a make up brush for my face. A brush it would have been possible to paint an elephant with.

So, I do not think that if you really love to do something, here, taking your time to find the perfect make up, lipstick or whatever, is a waste of time. Just want to cite an article about a music duo here (the band SDP) who claim for themselves that they are “successful” – in making music – in ‘wasting time’ about music (found the article in the DIE ZEIT special magazine +3, no. 33). OK, this might not be the way of ‘From 9 to 11 music composing, 11 to 12 music performing’, ‘from 1 to 3 money collecting’, etc. pp. Is wasting time really possible? If you are spending your time on something you really love? Good point in this article.
But: The money to make your living has to come from somewhere…

Mrs. Vahabzadeh, by the way, to take over power you need to wear the right lipstick anyway… means, sometimes you have to buy another one compared to the one you used to have
all the time. Cost what it may – even a lot of time.

And what about China? OR: And what about tea?

Almut Leitner

Newspapers and other media are so thankful about President elected Mr. Trump that they nearly forget other world’s big players in politics (and economics). So, have you read something lately about China? Or Saudi-Arabia and States related? South America is in the papers now because of the economic crisis they are facing, Africa seems to be a forgotten continent still. And have you ever heard about Australia? Or do you know ‘el Tigre’?

Russia is popping up sometimes, still not clear whether they might have influenced the US elections or not, Putin met Erdoğan before and after the elections in Turkey (but did not look him into the eye when talking…), Mr. Seehofer also visited him. Perhaps he wanted his most beloved ‘Obergrenze’ to become true in Russia? Hm. At the moment, Putin holds court in Сочи .

And China? Oversized Giveaways for Germany, for Trier, or example. This huge Karl-Marx statue – they really wanted that? Cannot believe it. As Trump would have put it: “What’s the deal?” Pre-celebrating the 200th birthday of Karl Marx in 2018 with a wooden Trojan dummy. Or distracting from other engagements, like their interest in Deutsche Bank? Anyway, there is a Karl-Marx-Museum in Trier – Marx’s birthplace. Not enough for them.

Mrs. Merkel visited Mr. Trump, the results of the Netherland’s elections she carried as a European asset and important SIEMENS, BMW and Schaeffler managers accompanied her.
Full power. But Mr. Trump has not been willing to give Mrs. Merkel a second handshake in front
of the press. Left Mrs. Merkel bewildered… maybe she asked about why his daughter is now in politics without mandate? Or Mr. de Maizière told Mr. Trump in advance that Germans accept only one handshake. Others, like CEO Mr. Zetsche decided to travel earlier, to Austin, Texas,
to be part of the digi crowd there at the SXSW Conference, looking for business as soon
as possible and the opportunities to transfer the conference concept to Germany.

In the EU, Polish Donald Tusk has been reelected as President of the Council, although the national-conservative Polish government tried to prevent it until the very end – 27 out of the
28 states voted pro Tusk.

Great Britain, now officially is a Brexit case (including the YES from the Queen), and Scotland is preparing another referendum whether to stay in the UK or not.

Greece? Still in and they started the Documenta 14, Kassel follows 2nd. Saw the online promo for both places, and: nearly not inviting at all. Only colors when you move your mouse over (if you have one, ha), too bad… Bulgarians and Serbians are struggling against corruption at the moment, like people started in Russia too.

In Germany, Mr. Schulz seems to be not so much into travelling around the world, he is more into the German campaign at the moment, sending out Mr. Gabriel for the Foreign Affairs. Mr. Schulz set a new SPD record as he has been voted for party leader at 100%. At the moment, SPD 2nd place (28%), Union still ahead with 36%, DIE LINKE, AfD and GRÜNE 8% each, FDP 7% (source: Forsa 5/3/2017; percentages other institutes vary slightly). So, FDP seems to make it over the 5% hurdle; but: Where is Mr. Lindner? At the tailor’s? Saw him in a short TV take in the heute show lately on ZDF, he made a funny joke about the age of his main competitors, kind of “hey, they are over 60” thing… This is really true, this is a given fact. As well that we had another quiet May 1st.

Another Referendum showed its results, I would better put it, first results, as there are about 2 million votes questioned – the Turkish Referendum APR 16 (the about 1.4 Million Turkish electorate in Germany had two weeks to vote from MAR 27 to APR 9). Not only in the Netherlands Turkish ministers were not allowed to make promos for Erdoğan, also here in Germany, starting with an initiative of several ‘Bundesländer’, the Turkish ministers have been confronted with a ‘No, thank you.’ And ‘No, thank you’ especially the Turkish people here in Germany said to Democracy at home – why do you want a hard liner at home while enjoying democracy here?

France will be the next European country with decisive elections, started their 1st round APR 23, le Pen and Macron still in the race. DIE ZEIT titled “Leider rechts / Sorry, right wing” with a profile photo of Mrs. Le Pen. Telling me what? She is right wing, OK, but she looks great? Hardliner profile, like a man? First official police photo before arrest?

US: Genetic tests for employees became totally legal – in their all about Trump Bohei, people just missed what this could lead to. And regarding the wall, first ideas are on the table to be discussed. Even here in Germany, newspapers are handling the wall as a given fact. But, thank you, some architects, that some of your proposals aim to tear it down before having even built it – by proposing a high speed train to combine Méjico and the US; high speed trains, hm, the Chinese are so good at building up those, using German technology as well. Here we are again… “And what about China?” A friend told me, that China never did start a war like the US in history, demolishing countries and leaving them in ruins after bombing. Well, that is true, the Chinese just use other techniques, but they are at least like that, using other methods –
they manipulate and kill free souls and minds. US? You too? Who else?
Reminds me of a sentence I wrote years ago: “Wollt ihr denn ein Seelenloser Haufen sein?” / “Will you really be a soulless bunch of people?” “Ah, “soul”, come on – we do not have an algorithm for that, we do not need it. We just need money.” Well, you will only know what you miss once you’re having it, or thanks to “jenes höhere Wesen, das wir verehren.”
(Heinrich Böll, Doktor Murkes gesammeltes Schweigen, first published in 1955).
WE know that there is something about it. YOU do not have. Scientists are
continuously working on decoding our DNA to prevent severe diseases etc.
And to do what else? Ah, by the way, why does Scientology still exist?
Always annoys me when passing them with the car;
by foot, too dangerous, they might draw you in.

Well, back to the wall: Other designs are just too awful, like Zoo fencings (but who will be the animal then, who human, ha, ha). Or high security walls you might know from the high security prisons… good that California is protesting by ignoring companies who are bidding. Mr. Trump should have been visiting Berlin at the times the Wall still has been a fact in Berlin. And he should know what the effects are. To bring people together again afterwards is an enormous effort (WE KNOW), and building up fences sooner or later leads to revolts.

Big parades in North Korea showed again the power they have meanwhile. Like it seems to be an old ritual in the Eastern countries they rolled their penises, ups, sorry, rockets, I mean, in front of the audience. Uh, this is too rude, in front of women and children, and the whole world. This is illegal!

And the Baltics? They try to make us more familiar with their Eastern Melancholia, now with actor’s support. In the end, the press is obviously on its way to be stripped down to another form of common sense. TAGESSPIEGEL’s design in black, white and red more and more reminds me of old, old designs like in the former GDR or other times-we-do-not-want to-have-again.
No Schnörkels, keep it clear! ‘ You really want this back? Or is it a color play to make us yet comfortable living under another Great Coalition again? “Because, hey, where are the other colors?” Is it a newspaper only or is it manipulation already?

More Funny FairY Tales

Almut Leitner

Under FBI surveillance?

Diner for four on 10th Street, overwhelming choices on the menu (some dishes have been exactly the same, just the sesame has been the difference), WLAN not so easy to get…
Our mobiles showed different ones – one of them: ‘FBI surveillance.’ Ups.
And a FBI surveillance car on the street. Tracking someone?
Well, could not get their WLAN connection –
would have been too funny though. A trap? Fake car? At 10 P.M., bedtime for the FBI ‘agents’,
the car drove away…

“Hands up, baby, hands up – gimme (…)”!

Bubble wrap under the carpet at the fair to prevent our feet from freezing, thank you. And a real sound experience at the same time. While walking over the carpet, some visitors have been shocked about the crackling of the bubbles !PENG!, !PENG!, some really did not have any clue and were just irritated. And some – the experts, they knew… Stay cool, no shooting here…

Alley-op!

Not on horseback over obstacles or in the circus ring, but in a food court one evening. Got the new gastro-gadgets with blinking, buzzing, you-know-what-and-why-LEDs that give you a signal as soon as your order is ready to be picked up. Soon? Ours showed 40 resp. 15.
OMG – 40 minutes to wait? So, alley-op, we had to get our drinks at another counter
(you really have to ask for beer, not every counter has a license for alcohol), alley-op,
back to the table with the beers, alley-op to the counter to get the first dish – not complete…
Asked the waiter behind the counter if he his able to tell me how long it will take until my orders will be ready.
Well, he could tell – good. But food then… and service? None. You only can eat out that way
when you are at least 3 people and have no clue regarding good food. Ridicule…
A real Gotham City – hey, Batman, here is a job to do.

“Can you tell me where I am?” a visitor asked me, holding the fair map in his hands.
“We are on the ground floor.” Well, a bit bold this answer, I have to admit, the man obviously knew also that he is on the first floor.
“Oh, I do not wear my glasses…” I continued, and, actually, I really could not read the floor plan,
although I am really good at reading maps. Well, the man could figure it out by himself anyway…

Fairs and no end

Almut Leitner

Have you been visiting one or more of the Art Fairs lately, or actively being part of one?
In New York, for example, even the press missed some of the fairs. The Armory, Nada, Scope,
The Independent New York and more. Not to Forget VOLTA, on pier 90, pretty close to the Armory (piers 92, 94). Hard to believe that these two fairs have the same owner – and even harder:
If you have been visiting one of these two fairs you would not have even noticed that there is another fair so close. No signs, no reduced tickets, no visitors exchange. hey, ever heard about marketing? Cross Selling? No? Too bad… And no press obviously on VOLTA. A short article on artnet (one of the sponsors), pretending that it has been a good fair. Well, the sponsors have to be positive, but if you have asked the exhibitors… they had another impression.

Welcome to New York
Welcome to New York, pier 90

Welcome to New York?

The majority of the exhibitors would not have signed this promo.

Perhaps, New Yorkers and the press are just overfed with Art Fairs and
all the other events related to the Arts.

But ignoring a fair right next to the promiment Armory is a no go.
And the same owner. ‘Pfui’ we would say.
Asian Art Week followed right behind, the ‘copy pasters’-week, and so on and so on…

Besides the fairs, a MoMA visit is always worth it. Not only because of their collection –
saw the Francis Picabia exhibition… fantastic. A classic exhibition of his works, you accompanied Picabia through the years of his life and his reflection of decades in (art) history. Picabia’s cite
” The head is round so that thoughts are able to change direction.” describes his approach to the different art trends of the 20th century. Cuban born, with multi-national heritage and having been living most of his life in France, his work also responds to both World War I and II, and his cultural (and political) influences. I would say, an art opportunist in a way.

Trump Tower? Rockefeller Center? Clear decision – Rockefeller Center. Even more with the huge Linnenbrink drip painting in the new lobby. Have a sneak view from the outside… opening soon… Central Park has been only a short walk up to the north, a quick tea time in one of the restaurants close to the park. Ready to walk up the rocks, spotting for squirrels, strolling a bit along the walkways and then back to the hotel – busy again to find a spot to eat out. Quite easy in that area we have been based, although the name of the quarter sounds not so promising: Hell’s Kitchen. Sometimes, in the hotel, I felt like being actually right there: None of the promising electronic buttons did work (ON/ OFF, ALL IN/ OUT: What the h*** for?), TV has not been working properly and most of all the bathroom door nearly cut my toe off the very last day. OK, OK, survived – and the panoramic view has been amazing, really.

Flying to NY: Thank you air berlin for this fantastic view onto Iceland’s coast; and back to Berlin @JFK: The fastest security control I ever experienced…

So, here, after Art Cologne (they will establish a second fair in Berlin, Art Berlin), the famous Gallery Weekend with new spots/ halls expanding in every direction (including frantic ‘one night stand’ exhibitions… but to attract visitors they even have to fly Mme Huppert in, just do simple name-dropping, ‘Uh, Bryan Adams is also owner, wow…‘ or install history relived (or history repeats?) art…), the art circus is travelling again – documenta 14 in Athens (JUN 10, Kassel will open – if you were able to find your way through this all-so-confusing and not-inviting-at-all website), Venice Biennale… save travels, for everybody and everything.

Stephen! Stephen! Stephen (Kollbäär)

Almut Leitner

Ah, NYC… so lucky having received a ticket for the Late Show with Stephen Colbert
on March 3rd, in the afternoon, arriving from Europe, already night, super. Did make it on time at 2 P.M. sharp, nearly ran, in the end took a taxi to get me there, as I was told to BE THERE ON TIME. Only people like me from Germany always think we have to be on time… So, after some talks and photos in front of the theater – check in 2.30 P.M. Airport like, even a detection dog
at the entrance (“Oh, look at this cute dog!” “Well, yes, this cutie is working.”). Thank you, unknown visitor, for checking the guests: Wolverine!!! (starring for the last time in ‘Logan’,
Best Picture Nomination at this year’s Oscar’s) and Condola Rashād, who has been featuring as
an Oscar Nominee presenter at the Oscar’s, a quite famous actress in the US.
Well, yes, it is time for after-sales.

Once we were in, up or down, had a seat up, good view onto everything on stage.
The Ed Sullivan Theater itself, an old one, not too big. Side-on Gilbert & George style copying windows, on the right hand side with Owen Wilson I recognized at once in a set of three men. Two balconies, each with winding stairs leading onto the stage.

First appearance: Warm upper Paul Mercurio, a talkative, overdosed with the F* word animateur. Too much talking about homosexuals and sex and, as I said, the F* word, picking out some people of the audience to perform with him on stage. But, still, there are
a lot of people who obviously liked that… Kept us shouting Yeah! and Stephen! Stephen! all the time. It is necessary to have a vibrant audience, I know, but at some point it is just exhausting.
Made our job well and then – next: Jon Batiste & STAY HUMAN, THE Stephen Colbert band.
Singing, dancing, playing the piano and harmonica, great, used the whole theater as a stage.
By the way, would have been a much better music act in the show as ‘The Flawless Lips’
with their pseudo-psychedelic scenery, felt a bit like having taken too many drugs at once.
And one of the song lines, like, as far as I remember it: “Bring the unicorns and make them slaves.” Awful. Quatsch. Nobody shall be a slave at all.
Liked the front man only because of his Beetlejuice appearance.

Finally, Stephen appeared – applause, applause, applause! Hopping and running around
his desk, wanted us to ask questions. Hm? FAQs? Presented also Marty, stage director of the show, telling us the do’s and don’ts.

Enjoyed all parts of the show then, the Trump jokes of course, always an important part of Stephen’s show actually. The guests: First of all, Hugh Jackman. I have to admit that I really love the ‘X-Men’ movies and his role as Wolverine. Moreover, he indeed is VERY good looking. Talked a bit about the making of ‘Logan’ (what made him look so furious e.g.) and that ‘Logan’ definitely will be his last Wolverine appearance after more than 20 years. Too sad… but,
“Hey, why not take my dog Rusty instead? He has perfect wolf claws and with me, together we are a one of a kind dream team.” During their talking Jackman reminded me of Jean Dujardin in his role as agent ‘OSS – 117’, a funny James Bond persiflage, when he began joking with Stephen and they both laughed kind of over exaggerated about their (men’s) jokes… However, VERY good looking and I hope for Hugh that he only played a role at that point… Ended his part with a reminder: Have regular skin checks. Well he knows what he is talking about and why, and,
as an Aussie (no, no, not Ossi!) even more.

Next: Condola Rashād, what an appearance – like at the Oscar’s. Very natural and funny, talking a bit about her family as well; quite newly engaged! And: She is tall – Stephen really had to look up to her a bit all the time. Alright, fair enough, this woman is just admirable. Latest movie: ‘Complete Unknown’, 2016.

When Stephen entered the theater’s 2nd floor where I have been sitting, he obviously had difficulties reading the teleprompter. When he looked in my direction I just gave my special ‘Huhu!’ greeting to him – oh, he did not notice me, has he been ‘in the tunnel’ already for the announcement of ‘The Flawless Lips’?

After the music intermezzo I got a quick glance at the announcement for the next night’s show take, could not believe it at first: Cate Blanchett! Wow. So elegant. Dressed like Marlene Dietrich a bit. And so she behaved – sophisticated, cool, family talks. Until – her joking. Strange. “Where do the warmth sit?” “In my vagina.” Urgs. Why is that? She wants to have more children than her four? Or she just wanted to show that even women are able to make dirty jokes?

End of show, conclusion?

  • You really have to attend a live show – and if possible compare it to the one later presented on the screens.
  • Stephen: Very good host… problems with your eyes? Get it checked.
  • Hugh: No Oscar so far, but has been presented them in 2009. And may be with a role change he will get one? Ah, and so VERY good looking…
  • Condola: Same, but I am sure she is working on that. And hopefully, the chances are getting better for females in general and non-white actresses.
  • Cate: Two Oscars so far – more to come?

P.S.: Back to Jon Batiste and his crew for a second – when I watched the show at night on TV,
I saw him saying “Shit!” to someone behind him – to whom? This is another story…

A lesson in “Funny or not?” What Carnival is all about.

Almut Leitner

So, Carnival/ Mardi Gras ended last week. In NY I saw many people wearing a black cross on their forehead as a signage for Ash Wednesday, I considered being old tattoos at first. In Germany,
in Düsseldorf e.g. they bury the ‘Hobbeditz’. Besides Düsseldorf as one of the top Carnival players and Cologne, we have Mainz in Hessen as a third main place to be at Carnival.

Alaaf! vs. Helau!, Cologne vs. Düsseldorf respectively are always kind of competing against each other, not only at times of Carnival (the whole Rhineland is celebrating the 5th season excessively). For me, this time, it is 1:0 for Düsseldorf.

Their motto wagons at Rosenmontag have been ‘Hard Candy’ a bit, yes, but very straight to the point – as during the Carnival season you are allowed to be ‘in the crazy mood.’ And allowed
to criticize – a good old tradition in Germany is to criticize politicians. In 3D, the wagons are
rolling satires in comic style.

I have chosen three wagons as tops:

Blond is the New Brown. Source: FAZ
Blond is the New Brown. Source: faz.net

 

No. 1: The one with the motto ‘Blond is the New Brown’; Hitler, Wilders, le Pen and Trump, all with blond hairdos
are standing side by side, representing the development
of the new nationalist movement –very good picture, indeed.
Only four? No other hidden racists?
Not yet discovered and accused?

 

Trump f******* the Statue of Liberty; source: faz.netsource- faz.net
Trump f******* the Statue of Liberty; source: faz.net

No. 2: Trump f****** the Statue of Liberty. Rude thing (This is illegal!),
but describes what Trump does.

Mammutti; source- focus.de
Mammutti; source: focus.de

No.3: Mrs. Merkel as ‘Mammutti’ (‘Mama Mammoth’) and Mr. Schulz doing physical exercise on the lance he tried to wound her with.
Well, good picture, Mr. Schulz until now has not succeeded…
campaign is going on…
But what we learned from history: The mammoths had gone…

Ah, these wagons are funny, but what IS NOT FUNNY are sentences
like the one I heard (guess who said it):
“We have to win wars again.”
This is so very old school and so superfluous.
And arresting journalists is INACCEPTABLE – all over the world.

This is Europe, EU

Almut Leitner

Surprise, surprise: Vice President of the United States Mr. Pence pointed out at the
Munich Security Conference that the NATO is not at all obsolete
(as of course the Conference itself is not, be it expensive or not) and
that the Trans-Atlantic Alliance is still reliable from his side –
although there is homework to do:
more engagement and a fair burden sharing. ‘Fair’… Germany is strong, but…
Should we push the army so much? Following the old principle of ‘the more budget you have
the mightier you are’?
Mrs. von der Leyen for sure is asking for more money – otherwise the tanks will not reach
their maneuver sites in time as the bridges cannot stand the weight of them …
Alternative: Maneuver? The effort is just too much to take care for the bridges carrying such weights…

As the Bayerisches Fernsehen informed, Trump ‘has been all around at the Conference’. Despite of Trump’s special talk-of-the-town habits there are enough people (even Republicans!) to tone the political heat down a bit. Although Mr. Bannon as the hard-to-take hardliner stands for an anti EU position. “He should be wearing a muzzle.” Rusty whispers in my ear.

Visited a Pro-European Demonstration here in Berlin (these demonstrations started in Frankfurt/ Main and spread out over the country until the 12th of March) and good to know,
see and hear that there are lots of pro-Europeans, be it young or old,
whatever (European) country they are coming from.

In times of talking about crisis only, this is a promising and essential sign –
as Europe is essential (even existential) for so many people.
Imagine that you cannot enter a plane right away like today and have a weekend trip to another European destination?
Or your families are spread out all over Europe and you cannot just visit them for a wedding e.g.;
or, or, or: I am sure you can set up a long list of examples like these right away.
And add the economic examples as well, please.
Even Britain will have to re-calculate the effects of the Brexit once again…

Pro Europe Demo, Berlin Mitte, Gendarmenmarkt, FEB 19, 2017
Pro Europe Demo, Berlin Mitte, Gendarmenmarkt, FEB 19, 2017

And after having listed the European pros, note down the cons:
you will immediately notice to what side the pendulum swings.
By the way, if you want: Join the demos –
in Berlin it is Sundays, 2-3 PM, Gendarmenmarkt, Mitte.

Yes, it is campaign time here in Germany and Mr. Schulz is competing for the SPD – the latest market research data show a clear increase of votes for the SPD (no matter what Insitute). Mrs. Merkel, is she nervous? She just continues working – always a little bit tangled by her Union partner, Mr. Seehofer -, the AfD is still in a hassle with Mr. Höcke and faces a decrease of party donations and: they loose votes. Did Mrs. Petry travel to Russia lately to collect money then? Or did she check out possibilities to hack the elections?

FDP? Still engaged here with the Tegel Airport topic (local, local) and ‘The Greens’ are looking for a new positioning as their program has diffused into several programs of the other parties.

It will be an exciting year – not only because of the seven new planets discovered.
This year’s German election for Mrs. Merkel to be elected once again is not to be taken for granted. Above that, the elections in other European countries like The Netherlands, France… they will show how tolerant Europe can be in the end.

P.S.: By the way, I always experienced the Netherlands as a very tolerant, relaxed and open country, as well France (well, at least you should speak a little French…), so I close this post, freely adapted from Heinrich Heine, Nachtgedanken: “Denk ich an Deutschland in der Nacht, dann bin ich um den Schlaf gebracht.” So, sleepless? Watched the Oscar Night last night instead… And me, I will be in NY next week, looking forward to present new works by Adrian Esparza.


 

 

“The same procedure as last year, Miss Sophie?”

Almut Leitner

This is 2017 now – a new year. You might have experienced yourself a terrible year 2016 – or a fantastic one or just normal business. But we should not be despaired – although it is a feeling difficult to cope with. Terror reached Berlin, in front of the Gedächtniskirche, at a time
of pre-Christmas. So, no same procedure as last year. This is bitter, no doubt –
on the one hand – and there have actions to be taken. But on the other hand we can handle it;
at this point I am optimistic (although this role normally is my husband’s) that we will improve.
This is my special word of consolation for the victim’s relatives and friends.

Politicians now talk and they start to commit themselves to a new line of handling refugees, handling the situation in a whole – for Berlin and Germany. Hope they generate a solution serving as a role model for others. What they discover on their way is bitter too, oh yes.
A terrorist travelling Europe, with several identities, buying his weapon –
perhaps in Switzerland, can you believe this? Has to be verified…
What is clear is that bureaucracy failed. That’s the point.

Germany is preparing the elections, the candidates got off the starting blocks. By the way,
in ‘Berlin direkt’ on TV lately, Mr. Gabriel (yes, he will) made some good points. Mr. Lindner
talks strong, but people seem to remark his tailor made suit/s only.
Well, perhaps he’s trying to copy Schröder a little bit? Or is just an elegant man?
And surprise, surprise – at the end of the report’s election section Mr. Hofreiter appeared
on the scene, sitting right next to Cem Özdemir, and has been acting like
a green Seehofer, See-Hofer, Seehofreiter, *hi hi* – really made me smile.

Mr. Müller, our mayor here, gave an interview in the TAGESSPIEGEL, a good starting point,
as last year he ignored to give any interviews at all. Wish for Berlin is –
and I think I am speaking here for many others – to reduce superfluous bureaucracy
and install more personnel instead. End of cutting down personnel.

Mayors, well, I heard a comment of another one on the radio beginning of the year.
He has been commenting on the fact that some foreign artists with a running engagement
want to leave his city because they do not feel comfortable in his city any more:
“This is a nationwide phenomenon.” he said. And this is reason enough that the situation is OK?
HEY??? In a city that has no problems with foreigners at all… OMG.

Weather report! Having talked about the political climate before,
I close my report with the weather, weather, weather.

We had the first snow here – and really cold temperatures in the East and South East,
‘Axel’ has been strong though as ‘Dieter’, Egon’, etc. pp., you name it.
Me and Rusty enjoyed the snow and still do. Rusty with his winter hairdo and me anyway.
But of course noticed the terrible situation in other European countries.

Forecast? Winter weather still, but not so icy – and when you are living more southerly,
you are lucky with some sunshine. Have a good new year.
Even when you have been stumbling over a Tiger head on the floor 😉

The 90th birthday
What does he say to the Tiger?

P.S.: Finally Mr. Lammert (Presiding Officer of the German Parliament) held a speech
in commemoration of the Breitscheidplatz victims
in the Bundestag, it is clear now that Anis Amri could have been arrested or sent back to Tunisia
already in October last year –
and please, stop Mr. Höcke and others proclaiming these neo racist ideas.
Trump inaugurated…