Service in Fahrenwalde: 150 years of Max Lindow celebrated!

Service in Fahrenwalde: 150 years of Max Lindow celebrated!

In the tranquil village church of Fahrenwalde, people gathered today to celebrate a special occasion: the 150th birthday of the respected Low German home poet Max Lindow. The service in Low German, which was organized by the community, paid tribute to the influential writer, which was baptized in this small village exactly 150 years ago. [NDR] reports that the celebrations not only put the words of Lindow, but also the Low German language into the spotlight.

Max Lindow, born on May 27, 1875, was not only a talented poet, but also a passionate teacher. He actively campaigned for the upgrading and revival of the home and mother tongue. After completing his training, he attended the preparation facility in Joachimsthal and later the teacher seminar in Prenzlau from 1891 to 1892. Here he started his life as a teacher, including at the primary school in Büssow, where he married his wife Frieda Kriedemann. For Lindow, it was to promote the Low German language through his poems and stories that were also written in High German. Many of his works are kept in the Fritz Reuter literature museum and in the Dominican monastery Prenzlau [Wikipedia].

inauguration of an additional sign

Another highlight of the celebrations was the inauguration of an additional sign with the inscription "Farenwoll" at the entrance to Fahrenwalde, which symbolizes the connection with Low German culture. This initiative is part of the efforts to preserve and make the cultural heritage of the region visible. The upcoming events also promise to keep the memories of Max Lindow alive. So the exhibition "Bi us To Hus - The World of Max Lindow" is already being planned in the Strasburg Heimatmuseum and will be opened at the beginning of August.

Lindow was not only a writer, but also a founder of the Low German Association of Unern Wiedenboom in Prenzlau, who organized numerous reading and entertainment sessions and thus revived the Low German language in the region. He is also the author of the unofficial Uckermarker song, which still sounds at regional celebrations and events. In the course of his life he also published several stage plays in Low German, which were very well received and were successfully listed in the Uckermark [Wikipedia].

The relevance of Max Lindow today

Today, a diverse house of Lindow is reminiscent of the history of this region. The Max-Lindow School, which has been named since 2000, and Max-Lindow-Straße in Prenzlau are just a few of the honorary measures that appreciate its life. In addition, the Max-Lindow Prize has been awarded since 2019 to promote new talents and to maintain Low German [Wikipedia].

For all interested parties in Low German literature and culture, the website lampdeutschebuecher.de offers much more information and insights. Max Lindow’s Engagement has shaped the Uckermark's cultural scene and his works are still a source of inspiration for many.