Peter J. Klassen
Home address: 1838 S. Bundy, Fresno CA 93727
Telephone: 559-255-6335
Fax: 559-453-2124
peter_klassen@csufresno.edu
Greetings!
I hope the new year finds you well, ready for the challenges and rewarding experiences that lie ahead. The world is changing so rapidly that a sense of historical perspective and cultural roots seems more important than ever. Perhaps our Association can help to enrich our understanding and appreciation of the various strands--historical, spiritual, ethnic, literary, artistic and other--that have been woven into the tapestry that is our heritage.
Here are several items of interest:
1. The Heubuden (Stogi) Cemetery
Dutch Mennonites in particular have restored tombstones and gravel boxes for many of the graves. Henk Maarse, from Zeist, the Netherlands, has written a fascinating account of this undertaking. He has noted the work of the Association, groups of Dutch and other Mennonites, as well as Mennonite Voluntary Service, in transforming an overgrown cemetery once used as a cow pasture into the remarkable historical monument it is today. Maarse has also compiled a partial inventory of the tombstones, together with inscriptions, of a number of cemeteries.
A suggestion: as persons become interested in these and other efforts, coordination becomes ever more desirable. The Historical Preservation Office in Elblag, for example, has already photographed dozens of tombstones throughout the delta; I have found persons in this office most cooperative and very willing to share the results of their efforts with us.
2. The Elblag Historical Museum
As you know, our Association donated $1000 to assist with restoration of Mennonite artifacts. I have received pictures of restored farm implements once used in the "Werder." The museum is well worth a visit; the curators are very appreciative and helpful.
3. The museum in Tczew
Dr. Roman Klim, Director of the Maritime Museum in Gdansk, has also developed a small museum in Tczew. Artifacts and documents there reflect "Dutch" influences in the delta. Klim has also prepared a number of guides (in Polish), including his "Paths of the Mennonites in the Delta (Zulawy)."
4. Other related organizations
The Dutch-German-Swedish Cultural Association has recently been established to care for the deserted and desolate cemeteries of Dutch, German and Swedish persons who used to live in northeastern Poland. Headquartered in Bialystok, the organization is led by Mgr. Ing. Eugeniusz Choroszucha and Dr. Marian Chomoncik. I have received a letter from them, outlining their plans and requesting financial support. Please contact me if you are interested.
The Foundation for the Preservation and Development of the Dutch Mennonite Relations in Poland has been established to organize support for preserving Mennonite historical sites in Poland. Piet Visser is chair; Henk Maarse is also working with this group. For details, contact Piet Visser, Universiteitsbibliotheek, Singel 425, 1012 WP Amsterdam.
The 500th anniversary of the birth of Menno Simons is being widely celebrated by our Dutch Mennonite friends. Dr. Piet Visser, curator of the Mennonite Historical Library at the University of Amsterdam, and a "Menno Simons 500 committee," as well as other Dutch leaders, have planned a series of expositions, conferences and other special events to celebrate this quincentennial. For details, contact the Algemene Doopsgezinde Societeit, Singel 454, 1012 AW Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Their fax number is 020 627 89 19.
2. Historical Tours
Mennonite historical sites in Poland, especially in the Vistula Delta, continue to draw visitors. Peter Foth of Hamburg has taken large groups to the delta and other sites of Mennonite history. Last summer he and his fellow visitors placed a memorial plaque on the former Mennonite church in Obernessau (Wielka Nieszawka), Torun. Peter's great-grandfather built the church in 1890, and was the Aeltester there.
Coming tours: Abe Dueck of Winnipeg will take a tour group to Europe, April-May 1996. Sites to be visited include Gdansk. Veteran tour leader John Friesen will again take a group to places associated with the Mennonite heritage, including Gdansk. Dates: July 15-29, 1996. Details are available from Assiniboine Travel Service, Winnipeg, phone (204) 775-0271.
Recently, the University of Gdansk extended an invitation to us to have a historical conference in Gdansk in 1997, the 1000th anniversary of the founding of the city. A number of special events are being planned; a scholarly conference could be a significant addition. Should we move ahead with plans? Is it realistic for us to help sponsor an event where we are the guests, but where we would need to cover the costs? I expect the University would host a banquet and provide rooms for the sessions. Participants would need to find their own support (perhaps from their institutions?).
Some of us have discussed this possibility, but we feel we need a broad response. Would you be interested in going? Participating? If so, in what way? We could have an opening banquet, followed by a day of papers/presentations, then have opportunities for spending a few days visiting Mennonite sites. Perhaps some tours could plan to coordinate their stay in Gdansk with the dates of the conference. The University suggested early October for the time; by then, professors and students would be back. Some of them might wish to participate.
We still have enough time to plan for this special event, if we wish to proceed. Please contact me to let me know your opinion; I will then share these sentiments with a larger planning body. Advice from members and friends in the Netherlands and Germany is especially needed. Are you interested in participating?
For the Association,
Peter J. Klassen
Home address: 1838 S. Bundy, Fresno CA 93727
Telephone: 559-255-6335
Fax: 559-453-2124
peter_klassen@csufresno.edu