Welcome !
We extend a hearty welcome to anyone who wants to
be informed about Schlaraffia.
Schlaraffia needs to be discussed and experienced and is generally best introduced by active members of Schlaraffia, who are familiar with the many aspects of this organization. It has more than 11,000 members and 261 clubs worldwide and conducts its meetings in German. For a brief introduction to Schlaraffia Nova Orleana, you can read the articles below.
For additional information about Schlaraffia, you
can e-mail us. A member of Schlaraffia could then get in touch with you and could
provide additional information or discuss possible picnics or other gatherings where guest are welcome and where it is easy to brush up on German or enjoy German culture and cuisine.
Introduction to Schlaraffia
Submitted by: Herbert F. Hille Jr.You wonder what the above name and picture means? It is the symbol of one of the oldest German fraternities in the world. Yes, in the world. This organization exists on every continent with the exception of Antarctica. And who knows, we may at one day be there too.
Let me tell you about it. Schlaraffia is the only German speaking organization in New Orleans and surroundings. Unfortunately, only men are allowed as members. That does not mean, however, that the other lovelier gender does not play an important role in it. They are the ones that chase their husbands, fianc'es and lovers to their meetings ("Sippungen") during the winter months when Schlaraffia meets. And they also participate at special gatherings and festivities which all Schlaraffen love.
Schlaraffia is a close community of men who, with like-minded endeavors, strive to cultivate the art and sense of humor with the guidance of an established ceremony and whose main credo is the cherishment of friendship among each other. That really says it all, but I know you still have questions. Schlaraffia originated in Prague in 1859 from the disenchantment of artists and fine arts patrons with the established German theatrical community who was at its heyday in the 1850s. The 10th of October 1859 is recognized as the founding day of Schlaraffia with its credo: "Art, Humor & Friendship." Because of the aristocratic times when Schlaraffia was founded, its members are "Pages," "Squires" and "Knights." All administrative positions are either elected or appointed once a year.
One very important rule in Schlaraffia is: Religion and politics are never discussed during their meetings. This attitude permitted Schlaraffia to survive two world wars, even in this country. To become a member the only requirements are that you speak, read and write German, have at least one sponsor and successfully pass a trial period. It is designed to acquaint the prospective member with our proceedings and the membership whereas the "Reych" (local chapter) makes up its mind if the candidate would be a suitable member. A secret ballot at the end of the trial period will determine the acceptance of the candidate. We have a diverse membership, which accounts for a spirit of tolerance among us. Any like-minded individual (sometimes it takes a while for him to recognize his calling) is welcome and we encourage every German-speaking male to acquaint himself with our "Spiel" (game).
Oh yes, the owl is the symbol of wisdom.
What
is Schlaraffia?All members of SCHLARAFFIA are united by the solid bonds of congeniality and friendship. No rivalry, no jealousy and no persecution can take root in this soil. Tolerance is one of the foremost qualities expected from and practiced by every member of this organization --- a century old, and widely scattered around the globe. Religious and political polemics as well as controversial subjects have never been permitted to interfere with SCHLARAFFIA. Every member is pledged to avoid the slightest allusion to any subject which may offend the sensibilities of a fellow member.
This organization draws largely upon artists, members of various professions and businessmen who possess the desired intellectual level. Although this implies a certain degree of exclusiveness, it is far from what might be called snobbish. It might be said that the SCHLARAFFIA is an exclusive organization because German must be used during the meetings. Lapses into other languages are not tolerated!
Artistic, literary and humorous recitations (most of them original) entertain the group throughout the meetings. The sense of good fellowship is enhanced by songs written and composed by gifted members.
SCHLARAFFIA constitutes an approach to life which emphasizes the sublime values rather than the coarse realities of everyday life. Members are urged to participate actively in the meetings rather than passively enjoy what others present. A subtle, never coarse, humor floats like gossamer at the gatherings, bringing happiness and oblivion to the soul. The psychologist may consider this an escape, but the poet calls it Utopia! And Utopia is what SCHLARAFFIA is all about!
Modern Knights
Meet for Culture, Fun and Ceremony
As published in The New York Times on February 12, 1995 S
by Joyce Jones
Meetings are often devoted to cultural discussions, with members reciting poems
they have written or performing their own works on musical instruments. Any
mention of religion, politics or business is forbidden. Humor and friendship and
an appreciation of the arts - not necessarily Germanic - are stressed. Rivalry
and jealousy have no place at the clubs' meetings.
Schlaraffia - the word is German - is an idealistic fairy tale land. Gustav
Mahler and Franz Lehar were members of the organization, founded in Prague in
1859. Today the club roster ranges from a former Olympian to opera singers,
artists, engineers, inventors and master chefs who follow the guidelines laid
down by a group of German performers, the founders of the first Schlaraffia.
Worldwide, there are 11,000 members in 258 chapters, with 915 members in the
United States and 100 in New Jersey. A 15-member board of directors represents
five zones: North America, Latin America, Switzerland, Germany and Austria. The
group is based in Berne. New Jersey has three Schlaraffia clubs: Newarka in
Dover, Portus Betsiae in Plainfield, and Totowa in Clifton.
Members of the modern Schlaraffia follow the same tradition as the club
founders, poking fun at nobility, even inducting themselves into knighthood.
Beginning as a page, a member moves on to the rank of squire and then, with a
lavish presentation, becomes a knight. "We think of ourselves as the last
knights of romantic 13th and 14th centuries," said H. Werner Seher, a member of
the Newarka chapter who was president of the North American Region.
The emphasis is on entertainment, but only which is culturally sound, nothing
that remotely borders on coarse humor. And yet this fraternal group has had to
ward off threats from monarchies, along with attempts at annihilation by the
Nazis and the Communists.
"Schlaraffia is an idealistic organization based on friendship and tolerance,"
Mr. Seher said. "We believe that the human being counts; we don't care where a
man prays or what his politics are, only that he performs within our circle."
Mr. Seher, who represented Germany in water polo at the 1956 Olympics in
Australia, added: "I used to think sports were a unifying force, but no more."
There is no other group quite like the Schlaraffia, he said.
It was a lack of tolerance that spurred its founding, Mr. Seher said. "In Prague
a high society arts club, Arcadia, who numbered among its members nobility from
the Hapsburg monarchy, rejected the membership of Albert Eilers, who later was
selected by Wagner to sing the role of Fasolt in Bayreuth. His fellow German
artists, performers at the German Theater in Prague, saw the rejection as a
wanton act of snobbishness and promptly formed their own club, the first
Schlaraffia."
But over the years, seemingly harmless entertainment at the meetings has been
viewed as suspect. In 1935, Hitler directed the Schlaraffia fraternities in
Germany, some 144 strong, to rid their clubs of Jewish members. Mr. Seher said:
"The Schlaraffias circumvented Hitler's orders to remove Jews from the
membership list by writing a letter to our Jewish friends telling them: 'You are
no longer formally on the membership list, but, of course, as usual, we'll see
you Monday night at the meeting.'"
The Schlaraffia clubs did not heed Hitler's follow-up demand that they
voluntarily disband. Then in 1937, Hitler ordered that the Schlaraffia meeting
rooms be trashed and the books burned.
After the war, members in Eastern Europe had to meet secretly because the clubs
were outlawed by the Communists.
Recently, representatives from Schlaraffia clubs worldwide held their convention
in Vienna. Traveling to Prague for the first time since 1937, the organization's
members were allowed back inside the former German Theater, now the Czech State
Opera House. Vaclav Havel, the President of the Czech Republic "graciously
granted our request," Mr. Seher said.
"When the orchestra played selections from the Schlaraffia lieder book, our
members rose and with tears in their eyes sang with emotion that reflected what
it meant to be back where our group was founded," Mr. Seher said.
The medieval aspect of the organization requires some getting used to, members
said, recalling their first encounter with the group. In the ornate meeting
room, dominated by a throne and wall hangings that include banners, coats of
arms and crests, they remembered that as prospective members they had been
greeted by men attired in cloaks heavily decorated with medals, wearing helmets
and carrying swords.
Mr. Seher said that at his first meeting he attended, 20 years ago, he thought:
"How can these serious gentleman act so silly?" He continued: "But then I saw
that the artistic part was done within a framework of mimicking the medieval
times when they gave out medals and stars for everything. It was all done with
great humor."
Members are addressed as Ritter (knight) followed by names that are a play on
their profession or hobby. Victor Symonette, a conductor in New York, is Ritter
Diathon der Takvolle, someone who is tactful and has a sense of musical beat;
Fred Zant, a retired engineer and a Schlaraffia officer, answers to Ritter
Poligonius, signifying a many-sided genius.
Mr. Symonette said: At first the pomp is an estrangement, and you think these men
are acting foolishly. Once you understand that it is a way of moving away from
what we call a 'profane' world, into an idealistic one, it then takes on a
different sense."
Herbert Bruckner, a custom tailor who has been a member for 38 years, added:
"It's an interesting way to back away from everyday life and step into culture.
The remarkable thing is that age doesn't make a difference; people come from all
walks of life."
Before joining the Schlaraffia, Peter Burboeck thought he wasn't literary enough
for a highly literate group. That all changed after attending a few meetings of
the Newarka chapter. "Not everyone is a great concert player or orator," Mr.
Burboeck said, "but the Schlaraffia accepts people the way they are. Suddenly,
whether in music or art, you discover you can do something you thought you
weren't able to do."
As befitting a club whose members value a sense of humor, the position of court
jester is an important one. Fred Ruebel, known as Ritter Ambassador, who works
in the construction business, holds that honor in the Newarka chapter because of
his quick wit.
Commenting on his longevity as a member, Mr. Seher said: "What happens in the
Schlaraffia is that it becomes a part of your life like developing a sense of
humor. Things that would have upset me 20 years ago, I now can see their
humorous side."