Anita Weininger wants to have a coffee in Kyiv again in peace

Created: 08/19/2022, 20:00

By: Doris Schmid

Arrived: Anita Weininger feels at home in Geretsried.

She lives in Gartenberg and works for a nursing service.

© Sabine Hermsdorf-Hiss

People from 106 nations live together in the city of Geretsried.

In a series we give them a face.

Today: Anita Weininger from the Ukraine.

Geretsried - She has a German name.

But for a long time, Anita Weininger didn't even know that she had German ancestors.

"The topic was taboo in our family," says the native Ukrainian.

No German was spoken at home in Lemberg either.

She only learned that later in a roundabout way.

Grandma secretly reads to her granddaughter

Nevertheless, Weininger came into contact with the German language as a girl.

Her grandmother had a little book from which she secretly read to her granddaughter.

"And I should always tell her these poems before she goes to bed," recalls the 47-year-old.

Later she found out that the booklet was a Bible in old German script and she said prayers.

The grandmother was severely traumatized by the oppression of the German minority in the Soviet Union after the Second World War.

Decades later, the German heritage was still hushed up in the family out of fear.

But as a young woman, Weininger was interested in the German language and culture.

"There was a German youth center in Lemberg where I got involved," the trained nurse looks back.

Incidentally, the superior of a German monastery that had a branch in Lemberg taught her the language of her ancestors.

"I'm still in contact with her," says the lively woman.

The UN counts 195 countries in the world.

106 nationalities are registered in the city of Geretsried (as of June 8).

Our newspaper wants to put a face to this number and introduces people from all parts of the world in no particular order who have found a new home in Geretsried.

© PMS graphic

She came to Germany and thus also to Geretsried seven years ago.

"I used to be in Germany very often," she says.

Good friends in Berg and Geretsried stood by her and made it easier for her to start in her new home.

In her mid-40s, she went back to school and completed an apprenticeship.

The nursing specialist now works for a nursing service.

"I'm very satisfied," says Weininger and smiles.

Association provides direct and unbureaucratic help in Ukraine

Supporting the poor and sick people in Ukraine takes up a lot of space in her life.

For more than 20 years she has been collecting donations with an association, providing direct and unbureaucratic help, says the Geretsried resident, who claims to still have a large network in her country of origin.

She wants to maintain and continue to use these contacts.

“We are considering founding an association here.”

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Weininger gets to the bottom of her family history

By the way, over time, the Lemberg native found out about her family history.

The Weiningers originally came from Baden-Württemberg and emigrated to the Black Sea region in 1810.

The 47-year-old has a German-born mother - who passed away a few years ago - and a German-born father who was born in Russia.

In view of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, this is not an easy family constellation.

At the beginning of the war, she followed the news on all channels and organized aid transports.

Now she's trying to keep her distance.

"But my heart is in Ukraine," she says.

Her biggest dream: “Peace in Ukraine.

And have a coffee in peace in Kyiv.”

The best from both worlds

I was born in Ukraine.

Ukraine has around 41.1 million inhabitants on an area of ​​603,548 square kilometers.

The state capital is Kyiv.

The funniest misunderstanding: My doctor mistook my best friend for my life partner.

Same-sex relationships are allowed in Ukraine, but not recognized.

The biggest difference: the Germans are so helpful.

There is no word for it in the Ukrainian language.

What I will never understand about the Germans is that they are so athletic.

Even at an advanced age, they play sports.

In Bavaria they say "Grüß Gott", in my mother tongue: "Vitaju" or "Slava Isusu Chrysty" (rather in the village).

My favorite dish is calamari.

And I also like to eat shrimp.

What I appreciate about my country of origin: In my hometown of Lemberg, culture is very important.

There are numerous festivals, which is fantastic.

and to Geretsried: The honest relationships with the people.

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