The death of the writer Ludwig Thoma, who grew up in Isarwinkel, will be 100 years old on August 26th.
On the occasion of this, Klaus Wittmann organizes five Thoma evenings in Bad Tölz.
Bad Tölz - He spent his first years in Lenggries and grew up as a forester's son in Vorderriß. We are talking about the writer Ludwig Thoma. August 26th marks the 100th anniversary of his death. On the occasion of this, Klaus Wittmann is organizing a retrospective on five evenings in Bad Tölz. Wittmann himself has been associated with the theater stage from an early age. Born in Munich in 1969, he already gained practical experience at various amateur stages in his youth. He received speaking and acting lessons from Carl Orff's daughter Godela. Wittmann has been reading Orff's Bavarian-language works since 2018 and directing Orff plays. He also organizes literary evenings around Graf, Queri and Thoma. He has already performed the Christmas legend “Holy Night” more than 150 times.As an introduction to the Tölz events in honor of the writer, Wittmann portrays his life and work on August 26th - the anniversary of his death - at the invitation of the city in the historic meeting room in the Tölzer City Museum. In the interview, Wittmann talks about Thoma and the series of events.
Can a homage to what is for many the most famous Bavarian writer on the 100th anniversary of his death include a critical view of his vita, Mr. Wittmann?
I consciously put this portrait of Thomas' life and work at the beginning - and of course I will also mention the articles that Thoma wrote for Miesbacher Anzeiger.
The fact that it is often reduced to these and the anti-Semitic statements contained therein goes against the grain.
Thoma is hardly read or performed any more.
My aim is to look at his life's work as a whole.
And to get it out of the corner in which it was placed.
On the 100th anniversary of the death of Ludwig Thoma: "He deserves to be read and played"
Thoma is not the only prominent artist whose political stance casts shadows over his work - think of Richard Wagner. Should one separate work and vita?
Absolutely, because it is the work that the artist left us.
Nevertheless, the vita should of course not be hushed up, but it must be reported about it in an enlightening way.
What criteria did you use to make your selection from the extensive work?
On the one hand, I have selected short stories that can be read in full in one evening.
And on the other hand, I have chosen texts that are rather unknown.
“The holy Hies”, for example, a satire on the clergy, hardly anyone knows.
This also applies to “Agricola”, delicious stories from rural life.
In short: I have chosen what is worth to be brought (again) among the people.
Who is involved in the retrospective besides you?
On the first evening I am accompanied by the Wackersberg zither music, dear friends of mine who are at home here - the connection to the region is always important to me.
The "Hies" then runs without music because the text can stand on its own and also lasts an hour.
Instead of acoustic, there is an optical background: We will project the scenes that Thomas Freund Ignatius Taschner made into a book onto the wall.
For the Filser letters - purest political satire - I invited Sepp Kloiber and Hannes Janssen to sing and play the guitar.
The last evening is the popular staging of “Holy Night” in the puppet theater, for which I act as the speaker.
Despite the concerns expressed at the beginning, do you expect a lively audience?
I regularly give readings in the region and have a loyal audience.
According to the Corona regulations, 30 people are allowed to go to the theater - I would be happy to hear from you.
Because Thoma deserves to be read and played.
Even after 100 years, his works are still strong, political, satirical, in no way dusty, but up-to-date.
(Questions: Sabine Näher)
Information about the dates
August 26th, 7.30 pm in the historical conference room in the city museum: “Ludwig Thoma - Portrait of Work and Life” (sold out);
23 September, 7.30 p.m. in the puppet theater: “The holy Hies”;
October 14th, 7.30 pm in the marionette theater: “Jozef Filsers Briefwexel” with Sepp Kloiber & Hannes Janssen;
November 11th, 7.30 pm in the puppet theater: “Agricola” - farmers' stories;
December 23rd, 7.30pm in the puppet theater: “Holy Night”.
Reservation: Tourist Information Tölz on 0 80 41/7 86 70. The Corona guidelines must be observed.
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