Olchis in the book castle

On 9 December, the Jella Lepman Hall was transformed for an afternoon into a festively decorated rubbish tip when Erhard Dietl, the inventor of the olchis, together with over 140 children and parents, celebrated an “olchi” Christmas. The small fans of the green rubbish monster came all dressed up for the occasion. Many of them came as Christmas olchis and olchi angels, and their imagination knew no bounds. And since olchis have horns for ears,  olchi horns of every kind were much in evidence among the listeners during the reading. The children’s Christmas decorations were equally inventive, and olchi slime, fish-bone ornaments, light-bulb balls and a lot of other “rubbish” transformed the fir tree into the most beautiful Christmas tree in Schmuddelfing. Erhard Dietl then read appropriately from the Christmas story about the olchis, “Die Olchis feiern Weihnachten”, and with the help of only a flipchart and marker produced a real olchi on the stage. And at the end there were even presents too. The author and illustrator generously raffled olchi books, cassettes and CDs to all the children who’d come dressed up. Angels, tree, presents and stories: it was actually almost like a real Christmas – only perhaps a bit messier. (vs)

The International Youth Library at the Frankfurt Book Fair

This year too, the International Youth Library has a stand of its own at the Frankfurt Book Fair. Visit us from 15 to 20 October 2008 in Hall 3.0 J336.

28. September 2008

Big Robinson family festival

Hoist the sail! This was the motto of the big Robinson family festival in the International Youth Library, where the most imaginative mini-boats were produced by children of all ages. There was everything from simple rafts and sporty catamarans to two-storey luxury liners. And if there happened to be no room at the boat-making tables, the participants could give their creativity free rein making things out of soapstone, building huts or making clay figures, or they could work off their energy bowling with coconuts and competing in an obstacle race carrying oranges under their chins. On the reading raft things were a bit quieter. Here some of the many literary inspirations for the activities were presented. The children listened intently to the passages from Daniel Defoe’s “Robinson Crusoe” and other island adventures and got in the right mood for the new annual exhibition, which was opened at the festival.

 “No land was in sight” – international literature for children and young people on the desert island theme, will be on display until September 2009 in the treasury of Blutenburg Castle. Around 100 international books are shown which describe isolation, usually of an involuntary nature, on an island remote from the familiar, allegedly civilised world. There is a surprising range of work: beautifully illustrated desert island stories from the 18^th and 19^th centuries are ranged alongside modern publications, various pop-up books and historical paper theatres. Jules Verne’s “Two Years Holiday” is here together with “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding and “Island of the Blue Dolphins” by Scott O’Dell. And the literary island worlds are documented for the visitor not only by the books themselves, but also by quotes from the texts, commentaries, maps and “finds”. (vs)

25 September 2008

Opening of the exhibition “A Bridge of Children’s Books”

One thing was clear at the opening of the exhibition “A Bridge of Children’s Books. The beginnings of the International Youth Library in postwar Munich”: everyone – children, sponsors and participants in the project – was impressed with the incredible energy and passion of Jella Lepman! Immediately after the end of the war, the Jewish journalist devoted herself to the cultural education of German children and in 1949 founded the International Youth Library at Kaulbachstraße 11a in Munich. “A Bridge of Children’s Books” presents a lively picture of the institution’s exciting and touchingly chaotic early years, which were very much dominated by Jella Lepman. The highlight of the opening event was a podium discussion between Dr. Hildegard Hamm-Brücher and the contemporary witnesses Manfred Purzer, Dr. Nina Gockerell and Ursula Erber, as well as the curator Anke Buettner. They all had their own memories of the energetic lady with the Swabian accent, who seemed to be constantly on the phone in order to ensure the continuation of this unique institution. While Dr. Hildegard Hamm-Brücher, then already working as a research assistant at the Neue Zeitung, vividly described the conditions and hardships of the time, Ursula Erber and Manfred Purzer also particularly remembered the many new and exciting books that were sent from all over the world and were freely accessible in Kaulbachstraße – a revolutionary concept in the library world of the day. Dr. Nina Gockerell enthused about the art studio run by Ferdinand Steidle, with his unique ability to stimulate the creativity and imagination of his pupils. However, whatever their memories, what they all had in common was enthusiasm for the unique project and its founder. The International Youth Library was a small miracle for its time and the exhibition also attempts to show visitors this aspect. It will run until 31 October in the Glashalle West in the Gasteig Cultural Centre. (vs)

15 September 2008

Lecture and reading “From Trotzkopf to Pippi Langstrumpf”
A literary and biographical tour of the literature for children and young people from the 1950s.
The event on 15 September also helped pave the way for the exhibition “A Bridge of Children’s Books. The beginnings of the International Youth Library in postwar Munich”. Dr. Barbara Scharioth, former director of the International Youth Library, looked back at her own childhood in the 50s, and took her audience on a very personal tour of the literature for children and young people from this time. She accompanied her presentation with anecdotes and memories and Julia Cortis, an announcer at Bavarian Radio, brought the stories and characters from the chosen books to life with her warm, expressive reading voice.

Republished classics such as Emmy von Rhoden’s “Trotzkopf” and Selma Lagerlöf’s “The Wonderful Adventures of Nils” were included as well as new publications from the 1940s and 1950s; top of the list were Astrid Lindgren’s “Pippi Langstrumpf” and Kurt Held’s “Die rote Zora”, which with their strong non-conformist main figures delighted children and filled parents with indignation. Dr. Scharioth’s choice evidently resonated with her audience, who were soon wallowing in nostalgic memories: “I’d forgotten what I’d read!” During the discussion and for a long time afterwards over a glass of wine they talked about the hunger for books in the fifties and their own favourite stories. (vs)

Dr. Barbara Scharioth

Julia Cortis

19 and 20 July

The International Youth Library at the Altstadtringfest

The International Youth Library was automatically involved in Munich’s superlative birthday celebrations, since it has after all been part of the city’s cultural life for 60 years. The Altstadtringfest organized along Munich’s inner ring road provided the public with a magnificent spectacle. Many people immediately identified Blutenburg Castle, home of the library, in the hidden object picture from an original by Ali Mitgutsch. But there was still more for children and adults to discover: behind the little doors was information about the premises and responsibilities of the International Youth Library. The newly acquired knowledge could be tested in a quiz, and the lucky winners received free tickets for the next storytelling afternoon with Katharina Ritter. (vs)

4 July 2008

Astrid Lindgren Book Festival

On Friday 4 July, the International Youth Library organised the Astrid Lindgren Book Festival, which attracted numerous visitors. The wide-ranging entertainment programme had something for everyone. While the adults strolled round the international book flea market, the children were occupied at the handicraft tables, until the well-known storyteller Katharina Ritter lured the visitors to the upper courtyard. Here the highlight of the book festival took place: the ceremonial inauguration of a monument in honour of the great Swedish children’s book author Astrid Lindgren. Lindgren fairy tales and songs created an appropriate atmosphere for the unveiling. Following words of welcome from City Councillor Ursula Sabathil, Christiane Raabe, Director of the International Youth Library and Peter Nickl, Chairman of the Board of the International Youth Library Foundation, children presented the colourful sculpture by the Passau sculptor Hans Fischer. The artist, who was present at the ceremony, earned high praise. The figure on the back of a horse symbolises the universality and independence of Astrid Lindgren’s heroes. Although it is not a reference to any existing illustrations, the sculpture probably reminded many people of the author’s strongest child; especially when at the close of the proceedings the Swedish choir sang “Här kommer Pippi Långstrump”. (vs)

24 June 2008
A joint charity event organised by the Rotary Club and the Lions Club in the Munich Academy of the Fine Arts raised a total of 3,500 euros. The poetry reading by Imre Kertesz, winner of the Nobel prize for literature in 2002, was enthusiastically received by the approximately 200 guests, who donated generously to support an International Youth Library project. This focuses on early literacy, motivating preschool children to read with the help of parents and kindergarten teachers, interesting them in children’s books and encouraging parents to revive a practice that has become rare in our society: reading aloud. With this donation, the project can now run for a further year.
The presidents of the two clubs, Norbert Fiss of the Rotary Club München-Englischer Garten and Robert Gareißen of the Lions Club München-Geiselgasteig, personally presented the cheque to the Director Dr. Christiane Raabe. (vs)

24 June 2008

A day with Azouz Begag

When the author, sociologist and former member of the French Cabinet, Azouz Begag, came to Blutenburg, the International Youth Library welcomed not only a high-ranking guest but also with a born entertainer. The Frenchman, whose parents came from Algeria to Lyon in the 1940s, was already very popular with French classes all over Bavaria before his visit. The interest in the school class programme in the morning was so great that an additional event was organised at the last minute for the early afternoon. A total of 200 schoolchildren came to the book castle to see in person the man whom they had already heard so much about at school.

Azouz Begag did not disappoint his audience, and related, sang and acted scenes from his life with great charm in several languages. Born in a French slum, he grew up in the middle of the Arabic enclave of Lyon. He was the only child in the quarter to go to grammar school, and he went on to get a place at university and obtain a doctorate; from 2005-2007 he was Minister Delegate for Equal Opportunity.

Begag’s parents came to France as illiterates (“analphabètes mais pas bêtes”) to give their children a future. As far as they were concerned, education was the best capital. Books, in Begag’s father’s opinion, make you free. Today his son expresses this conviction in his readings, and says it is one of the reasons he became an author. In his novels he describes his childhood in Lyon.

Azouz Begag, who as a boy was already carrying out a cultural balancing act, speaking Arabic at home and French at school, sees himself as a border crosser. It is important to cross borders, he said, to embark on new things without fear. He emphasised this not only in the school class programmes but also at the evening event, which was attended by another 120 guests. And everyone was inspired by the multitalented author who pleaded with charm and humour for a multicultural society. (vs)

23 June 2008

The author Aygen-Sibel Çelik at the library

At the opening of the exhibition “Prospects of paradise. Islam as reflected in Western literature for children and young people”, Aygen-Sibel Çelik read from her novel “Seidenhaar”. The author was born in Turkey and has lived since her early childhood near Frankfurt am Main. Because of her origins and Muslim convictions she frequently encounters prejudice. She vehemently condemns this in her novel, which is based on the prime example of a Muslim symbol, the headscarf. The two protagonists Sinem and Canan are both Turkish, but while Canan wears her headscarf out of conviction, Sinem is equally sure that this “piece of material” only restricts her life.
Instead of presenting the stereotypical views on this issue, Çelik explores the complexities of the headscarf question through the various motives of the two girls. “Seidenhaar” is her plea against the over-generalised judgement of different cultures and her defence of the right of individuals to decide for themselves. She also emphasised this repeatedly in her reading to around 70 teenagers from Munich schools.

The discussions and questions following the reading showed the extent to which she had struck a chord with her listeners. Young Muslim women, some of whom were wearing headscarves themselves, spoke of their own experiences with prejudice. Terms such as “respect” and “real interest” were heard repeatedly, and made it clear that young people both seek and welcome a dialogue between the cultures and open communication. Aygen-Sibel Çelik’s visit to the International Youth Library was a very encouraging beginning to the “Prospects of Paradise” project, which is designed to offer a platform for precisely this dialogue. (vs)

28 May 2008

Art research club

On 28 May, on the occasion of World Play Day, the young researchers of the art research club produced their own modelling clay. They set to work with a lot of flour, salt, water and a mysterious ingredient, and soon all the children had a piece of “dough” in their hands that they could colour with a lot of bright food dyes. And of course they could all take their modelling clay home, where it would stay soft and malleable for a long time stored in the fridge. (vs)

27 May 2008

Round Table

At the Round Table, the foreign scholarship holders at the International Youth Library presented their projects to the library staff. The four guests are working on a wide variety of aspects of literature for children and young people. Professor Junko Yokota, head of the Centre for Teaching Through Children’s Books in Illinois, spoke about her research into social justice in international children’s literature. Koji Yoshida is carrying out research for his employer, the Japanese publishing house Kodansha, into the characteristics of bedtime stories in Europe and America, and the Spanish journalist Gustavo Puerto Leisse is working on the presentation of childhood in children’s books. The Canadian author Linda Brousseau rounded off the event with a report on her work on death and dying in books for children and young people. The lectures and the subsequent lively discussion showed how much the staff of the International Library and their guests profit from this animated exchange of ideas. (vs)

Prohibited and persecuted: commemoration of children’s book authors in the National Socialist period on the occasion of the memorial week to mark the 75^th anniversary of the book burning on 10 May 1933

As part of the memorial week, the International Youth Library commemorated Else Ury, Erich Kästner and the illustrators Walter Trier, Jella Lepman, founder of the International Youth Library, Erich Ohser, Anna Maria Jokl and Ruth Rewald, whose works were banned by the National Socialist government. (cg)

28 April:

Gudrun Pausewang for school classes

The 80-year-old author was a guest of the International Youth Library in connection with the exhibition on her work entitled “How the world is and how it should be”. She talked about her life as a teacher and writer to over 100 schoolchildren and read from her novel “Die Wolke”. (vs)

24 April:

Opening of the exhibition “It’s that Michl again”

Almost 200 guests, including numerous friends and colleagues, came to the opening of the exhibition “It’s that Michl again” in the book castle, to look at three decades of sketchbooks by Reinhard Michl. The books on display testify to the skills of the Munich illustrator, who, as the former publisher Maria Friedrich and Michl’s friend the artist Quint Buchholz emphasised in their speeches, is an absolute master of realistic sketches and spontaneous caricatures. (cg)

9. April

Schoolchildren meet Walloon picture-book artists

On 9 April 2008, schoolchildren had the opportunity to draw with three Belgian children’s book illustrators and ask them all about their work. Anne Herbauts visited the Realschule Puchheim (a secondary school leading to vocational training), where she talked to the pupils about her book “Lundi”, which deals at various levels with her favourite topic, time. Kitty Crowther talked to French children at the European School and answered the questions of pupils at the Nymphenburger Gymnasium in their fifth year of school. Here the children were even treated to an as yet unpublished story and were allowed to help find an appropriate title for it. In the morning, pupils in the Hauptschule an der Wiesentfelserstraße met Mario Ramos and painted with him. In the afternoon the illustrator presented his books for the very young in the Children’s Library of Blutenburg Castle. (vs)

Mario Ramos in der Kinderbibliothek
 

8. April

“Caroussel de la fantaisie”

A Walloon evening in the International Youth Library

On Tuesday 8 April, over 50 guests of the International Youth Library had the opportunity to meet three top-class Belgian children’s book illustrators, Kitty Crowther, Anne Herbauts and Mario Ramos, whose pictures are on display in the book castle until 17 April in the exhibition “Caroussel de la fantaisie”. The versatile illustrators introduced themselves and presented their books, describing how they worked and talking about their sources of inspiration. One thing they were all agreed on was that it is what it creates in the mind of the reader which makes a good picture book. The Walloon evening was accompanied by chansons by Jacques Brel and closed, as only appropriate for a Belgian-Bavarian event, with discussions over a glass of beer. (vs)

From April:

New workshop: “What has that got to do with me?”

From April, the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site and the International Youth Library are starting a joint programme for adolescents and young adults. The students will visit the Concentration Camp Memorial Site in the morning, and in the afternoon will have the opportunity to process what they have experienced in a writing workshop in the book castle and express their feelings privately or to the group. (vs)

18. March

Easter in the book castle

On 18 March, eggs and Easter bunnies were the theme of the activities in the art studio of the International Youth Library. The children and parents invited to take part got busy with scissors, glue and paints to prepare for the coming Easter holiday. Simple egg cartons were transformed into splendid present boxes and plain serviette rings decorated with rabbits. As a reward for all the hard work, there was also an Easter story. The children listened to Pepe Nero’s “In der Wüste gibt es keine Osterhasen” and looked at Sybille Hein’s illustrations of the tale. (vs)

“What – fairy tales again?”

Further training session for teachers on the topic of fairy tales

25 teachers at primary schools and Hauptschulen were provided with ideas for the classroom on this topic at this year’s training session organised by the Reading Promotion and Literary Education working group. Backed up with ample examples of the literature and pupils’ work, the practically oriented lectures showed teachers how to present fairy tales to children and young people. (vs)

6 March
Brian Doyle at the book castle
On 6 March, children in their ninth year of school from four Realschulen came to hear the Canadian writer present his texts and answer questions as part of the International Spring Book Week of the city of Munich. Brian Doyle immediately struck the right note with his audience and removed all reserve with a wonderful pastiche of himself and his home country. In his reading he turned to more serious topics, with family problems, isolation and violence dominating the passages he read. The onomatopoeic language of his book and his ability to empathise with the emotional world of the adolescents left a powerful impression on his listeners. With four grandchildren of his own, he showed very clearly that he took young people and their problems seriously and tried to understand them, regardless of whether they came from Canada or Germany. (vs)

4 March

“Tell me a story” - Katharina Ritter tells Grimm’s fairy tales

A lump of coal, a bean and a straw set off for a foreign country... Story afternoons with Katharina Ritter have many attributes, but one thing they never are is dull. With a mixture of her own and “borrowed” stories, she knows how to captivate young and old. On 4 March she gave an original presentation of Grimm’s fairy tales. With skilful use of her voice and theatrical mime and gestures she brought the characters to life and made a vivid impression on her audience. They were tempted to interrupt the dissatisfied fisherman’s wife or warn the hero about his big brother before it was too late. But even when all her listeners were hanging on her words and hoping for a happy end, the master story-teller did not let herself be influenced. Not every story can end happily, and so the journey of the lump of coal, the bean and the straw came to a surprisingly abrupt end. Katharina Richter is the perfect master of her art, and takes her public through a whole spectrum of emotions. Above all, however, her stories make you want more. Next opportunity on 27 May. (vs)

26 February

The Munich round of the 2008 Reading Aloud Competition took place in the International Youth Library