The Wall – British dystopia with new way to be read

An epoch-making, somehow vague event in the past divides the country in a time before and a time after the Change. The whole British island is protected by something reminding the Chinese wall: the Wall. Beaches are something from old ages, as far as the young are concerned. Every young woman and man has to serve on this Wall for two strenuous years. Consequences are extrem: If the Others – the foe – can overcome the Wall, the people from the Guard will be punished by set on tiny boats on the ocean.

This is the sound of John Lanchesters novel published in the mid-Brexit UK. In Covid19 times future readers might read it in a simular way: the time before and the time after Covid19. Gloomy dystopian novelle, a little bit soothed by the story of a couple – the word love story would be too much. Covid19 time is reading time.

Dorotheenstaedtischer Friedhof Berlin – a small Père Lachaise-like burial ground

Wikipedia (in German) lists all graves of famous writers, philosophers, poets and members of the German resistance that can be found here. There is one mistake about this burial ground: W. Biermann wrote about this place as „Hugenottenfriedhof“. But the real burial ground with this name is to the south-east of Dorotheenstaedtischer Friedhof. Moreover, don’t mix up this burial ground with ”Dorotheenstaedtischer Friedhof II“. This extension of the burial ground can be found in Liesenstrasse, not in Chausseestrasse.
A tiny cafe behind the chapel of this burial ground can be recommended: nice cakes and a lot of books are on display that are related to the people of this burial ground.

Happy birthday, Ralph Towner

It happens to me again and again: The heroes of my youth seem to remain as young as noticed at the first contact. Of course, that’s nonsense. Nevertheless, I noticed with some astonishment that Ralph Towner had his 80th birthday yesterday. So, happy birthday, Ralph Towner, and may you keep good health in the future. Perhaps you will enrich the musical world with other pieces of your great music.

Thanks for the solo concerts, your contribution to Oregon and your piece Anthem. No one should miss it. The recording above only gives a reduced idea of it. If triggered buy the cd or download the file.

Other releases worth listening to: Trios / Solos (ECM, 1973), Solstice (ECM, 1975), Anthem (ECM, 2001)

Fare thee well

It’s done: the Brexit will happen tomorrow night at 11 p.m. and the UK’s EU membership will end definitely. Yesterday the European parliament accepted the Brexit proposal with broad consent. Reactions were quite predictable: Nigel Farage rejoiced in the outcome of the whole procedure. Many, particularly young, members of the EU parliament expressed their sadness und hope that this may be not the last word.

Whether the treaties for the further relationship between the EU and the UK will be ready by June or July is rather unclear. Many experts expressed their doubts. The rest of the year would be needed for the long haul process of ratification in all the European national parliaments. Some even fear that this could be another attempt to force a hard Brexit.

How will the future long term relationship between the EU and the UK look like? If BoJo will undermine European product and labour standards they will be frostily. He still has to learn that he is in the weaker position: It’s the dog that wags the tail, not the other way round.

Thank God, the UK will still be part of Europe in general. But one must hope that e.g. Erasmus and the exchange of students and scientists will grant enough communication between both. Others are less happy: Many binational or continental families in the UK are anxious about their future citizenship.

Need some famous last words? Fare thee well, UK, and perhaps “au revoir“.

Irish-english folk treasure trove

Lankum – The Old Man From Over The Sea
Lankum – Cold Old Fire
Lankum – The Granite Gaze
Radie Peat – Cailín deas crúite na mbó /When I Was A Young Girl
Lankum – Rosie Reilly (Live at The Parlour)
Lankum – Sergeant William Bailey (Sidmouth FolkWeek 2015)
Ímar – l’Air Mignonne (Canadian Sunshine)
„Pipes Solo – Lark in the Morning“ – Cillian Vallely & Alan Murray
Luke Kelly – Peat Bog Soldiers

Enjoy!

The end of the United Kingdom as we know it?

BoJo won the election as most people foresaw. Jeremy Corbyn was no plausible alternative: Very unclear about Brexit and the future relationship towards the EU, rigid and pigheaded in his political positions. BUT

…most of the Scottish constituencies voted for SNP and Nicola Sturgeon seems very determined to fight for a second referendum.

…Moreover even in Belfast North won a Sinn Fein politician. On the long run ?nationalist? North Irish inhabitants will outnumber the unionist oriented. In some years a referendum might be held to unite Northern Ireland with the Republic.

…The economic consequences of Brexit for the UK are very unclear to say the least.

So, should we call the future Prime Minister Pyrrhus-BoJo from now on?