OBERAMMERGAU PEACE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 25, 13 February 1937, Page 11

OBERAMMERGAU PEACE

Anton Lang and His Pottery

What a change from. the rush and turmoil of Garmisch to the quiet and peace of the little, near-by village of Uberammergau, says an American writer. A hush seems to hang over the town; one notices that the inhabitants seem happy, greet one with the greatest courtesy everywhere ; while the people in the shops and restaurants speak good Engllsh. I had the privelege of visiting Anton Lang, and being escorted by ium personally over his workshop. This is mdeed a rare treat, for in late years he does not see many visitors, although he particuiarly seems to enjoy Americans, who he feels have been so kind to him. The houto where Anton Lang was

born atiu stands on the Jtiver Amer. Lang's father was a potter, son following in the father's footsteps. Anton left home to study, and began his work in another town, but iater he returned to the place of his birth. Here he is happiest, for although he enjoys travelling in foreign lands, he was alwayg homesick for Oberammargau and hit beloved hills. In America, which he visited after the w^ar, m 1922, he was really trightened by the tall buildings, and he was horror-stricken by tbe great waste of food he saw there, as his people at home, affected by tbe inflation of the German marb pt that time, were going hungry. Fortunately, the trip of the Oberammergauans, to display their work in America, was successful ; they were able to carry bac-k substantibl lielp to tlie people at holne. Lang has never forgotteh this, and has alwayi had atpecial love for Americant,

Anton Lang now has a large, comforcable house which he uses as a pension. it can accommodate 35 guests and is presided over by his wife and his sister. Some of the rooms are furnished with furniture peculfar to Oberammergau — quaint desjgns painted on wood. The kiln where tho pottery is made, and tahere the workers model the attractive shapes that he and his sons design, is one of Herr Lang's greatest shoW places. One of Lang's sons is now professor ot German at Georgetown University ji Washington. He married an Ogerammergau girl — the girl, in fact, who played the part of Mary Magdelene in the latest Passion Play. Lang shows with great pride the picture of ; the twins, the grandchildren.

T^e pottery of Anton Lang goes all over the world. The individuality of t.he potter shows "in ' all his work. As in most works of' aft,"it'is not the teehnique that is'fhe' impbftant thing, but the feeling which lies behind it, and in the exquisite work of Anton .Lang one senses a.beautiful mentality. lliat is perhaps why. his . performance of the Christus, in .the. Passion Play, which he • acted over a period of 30 years, was such an inspiration. He now takes the part of the Prologue in the play, the " next ' performance of wiiich Will take place in 1940. The little viliage of Oberammergau is as attractive in winter as in summer. People came for the winter sports, which are very popular in the neighbourhood. Some who attended the Olympic games were housed in Oberammergau, for buses ran frequently to the games at Garmisch.