"Peace On Earth" Is Still Meant

Radio Record, Volume X, Issue 21, 4 December 1936, Page 9

"Peace On Earth" Is Still Meant

Christmas Message of German Radio — Foreign Countries. Addressed With Greet-ings-Folk Myths of Christmas.

"PEACE on Earth... . Impressive was the call to Peace and reflection upon the invalues at the Olympic Games in Berlin. The Christmas Days bring this call back to our. minds. "Peace’ on earth and = goodwill towards men" still means to us 4s much as it meant in the olden times. In this world of opposition, the German people earnestly acknowledges everything that is apt to reconcile men and to unite the peoples. It is the wish of the German shortwave station that the idea, "Peace on Earth" will not remain a longing to mankind, but that it will become’ a well-known message to us, which we shall be grateful to hear again and again. Ludwig Friedrich Barthel. one of the most famous poets of our nation, has chosen this beautiful idea as the basis of a programme under this title, to be broadcast on the Australian and New Zealand programme at 7.15 p.m. (N.Z.S.T.) on December 26. The music is by Kurt yon Wohlfurt. ° N- December 24 at 7.45 p.m., the "Reichssender" greets foreign countries in a general broadcast of the German radio, The German shortwave station again and again broadcasts selections from the "Reichssender" progrgnimes, thereby expressing its conwith the foreign countries, as well as with the Germans abroad. This feeling of unity is stronger than ever on holidays, when people bave time for reflection upon the sources of their strength of life. hese sources are their work, their family, and their people. On Christmas Eve all "parts of Germany want to send their Christmas .greeting to Germans abroad, wherever they .may live. The "Reichssender" will transmit these Christmas greetings by broadcasting programmes characteristic of all the different provinces of Germany. It will be a colourful hour, full of Gérman Christmas adventures, and will be called "Our Christmas Greetings to Germans Abroad and to Foreign Countries," LD Christmas Customs: "The Stars give us a bright light." This pro--gramine, to-be broadcast on December °

27, Wag created by the German Shortwave Station from the wealth of folk traditions of Christmas time. It is a time when one thinks of one’s ancestors, at whose graves Christmas dances were once conducted. and who have bequeathed us the ballads by the "Reiter." who ovee brougbt them to the king's daughter on her beath-bed. Even to-day, in remote parts these ballads are still played as dance music. Sigurd, the Dragon Killer, is the author of some such ballads. His story is similar to that of the youth who was chosen by the Fates to win lis way against all dangers to the independence of the King’s crown,.as our folk myths tell us-those tales which have spread far beyond the German Ind. The tale of the "shepherd boy who became king," tells of this happening. Songs make a complete picture of ..this broadcast. which provides an insight into the rich tradition of Christmas’ folk-lore, German Culture N interesting broudcast on December 10 will be "Testimonies to German Culture: "III, The Cologne Cathedral." When in March, 1936, Adolf Hitler made his speech about peace in Europe, the chimes of the Cologne Cathedral ‘were chosen’ to open this demonstration, These’ chimes awakened the sense. of’ the greatness of Ger: man history, ‘The ‘Cathedral ° sia vital link between: the past’ ‘the ‘future, Centuries have ‘been’ _spent working on: ‘this cathedral.’ Often work had to ‘be: discontinued, and another generation: ‘worked untiringly ‘until, after hundreds ‘of years of -untold ° ‘effort, it was completely finished. But even yet: it--ig ‘being "continually "Tes

paired, and this work is in itself a symbol of the -German ‘character. There Was a time when the best people of our nation saw a German task in the perfection of cathedral construction. All that they: strived for has’ become reality in the Third Reich; but at ihe chime of the bells there stands out before our eyes a. view of the. past and a prophecy and trustfulness ‘in .the future, and enlightens us to the eternal testimony of German culture. Relay From Skis [\ its series "German Winter Sport Territories," the German shortwaye station describes the Harz: Moun‘tains té listeners. ‘The. Brocken,. of ‘which we have’ all formed’ some idea, is to be visited in its winter glory. The landscape. is covered: in a white coat; snow-covered slopes and the fantastic forms of the snow-laden. fir-trees will fly past. the listener. when. the’ ‘radio- _ reporter's team whizz down: the: etoper on their skis: Belg EES lok, "pst Johann Strauss "LIE ‘is: Serious-Art is Joyous, " is 2 tadio play ‘about \ Johann Strauss, The’ melodies ‘of. the. Viennese Meister...5. olann Stratiss,: "are. * played and heard with pleasure: throughout ithe whole: world. ' * His. valses and qperettas will always" ‘Des as foundation to ‘musical programmes. ~ Little -is* Iniown* of his life, and therefore the’ ‘German shortwave station on December 11 ‘vill tell ‘you something about his family, life and ‘his great achievements, -In addition, ‘some of his yalses will be played. The manuscript is written ks ‘Woltgang Hoffmann-Harnisch.