18. Arbegener Treffen

It was a premiere: at the gathering of Arbegen compatriots on 12 May 2018 in Margetshöchheim in Franconia, the play "Urlew um schworzen Mier" was performed, and for the first time all the actors belonged to the generation born in Germany. For the piece about Helmut, his wife Anni, and the tedious packing before a holiday trip, the 19- to 26-year-olds had specifically practised the Saxon dialect beforehand and ultimately performed on stage with great aplomb and many laughs from the audience.

The gathering of Arbegen compatriots with their families and friends takes place every two years. This May marked the 18th such reunion, to which guests still gladly travel from all over Germany to Margetshöchheim even after all these years. Among the more than 230 participants, the young generation of children and grandchildren was also well represented and enthusiastically took part in the eventful weekend.

A church service and a cultural programme are traditional fixtures of the gatherings. This year's service was led by Konrad Rampelt; Fritz Schässburger on the organ and Rolf Binder on the flute provided the music. The procession of Arbegen folk-costume wearers and the communal singing of some well-known homeland songs were on the programme in Margetshöchheim, as was a dance evening. To the music of the "Memories" duo, dancing continued well into the night.

The theatre group's performance was a highlight of the weekend. The Arbegen community regularly stages such a play at their gatherings, but until now parents had always appeared on stage together with their children. This time the young generation had taken matters into their own hands. "Rehearsing was a challenge because we live in every corner of Germany," says Marius Auner. "Luckily there is the internet, so we could simply phone each other online and practise that way," adds Antonia Melzer. One joint rehearsal then took place "in person" a few weeks before the performance in Bamberg.

The Arbegen community enjoyed the result at their gathering: the character Helmut (played by Marius Auner) simply wanted to enjoy his well-deserved holiday in the play. Together with his wife Anni (played by Antonia Melzer), he planned to drive to the Black Sea the following day. If only it were not for that wretched packing before the trip. Fortunately he has his wife, who quickly irons and sorts everything. Everything seemed set for the newlyweds to enjoy a few relaxing days — until Helmut's mother-in-law Minni (played by Isabelle Schoger) suddenly came bursting through the door. She naturally knew far more about packing than these young people. Clothes and suitcases soon go flying across the stage and the audience has plenty to laugh about.

And then neighbours (played by Anna Endörfer, Sarah Stühler, Jacqueline Melzer and Patrick Schuller) come running over with useless parcels that Helmut is kindly asked to take with him to Mamaia. When the chaos seems complete, Helmut and his friends (played by Bennett Rampelt and Thomas Schoger) come up with the saving idea of sending the luggage by post. Despite all the muddle, there is still a happy ending.

The success of the performance was ultimately also due to the helping hands of parents and grandparents, whether in searching for costumes or learning the correct Arbegen pronunciation. Despite the somewhat chaotic dress rehearsal the day before the performance, everything went wonderfully on the day itself — also thanks to a fair amount of improvisational talent.

A warm thank you goes to all the helpers, especially those behind the scenes, without whom such a project would not have been possible. The participants of the gathering sincerely thank all the organisers for the wonderful time together, as well as the many guests who attended and the numerous helpers who pitched in on the day itself, as well as during the set-up and take-down the day before and after the gathering. Without their efforts, such a reunion would not be possible.

We are already looking forward to the 19th gathering on 23 May 2020.

Author: Jacqueline Melzer
Date: 30.05.2018