Dieser Internet-Auftritt verfolgt das Ziel, möglichst viele Informationen über das Internierungslager auf der Ile Longue zusammenzustellen, damit Historiker und Nachkommen der Internierten sich ein Bild von den Realitäten dieses bisher wenig bekannten Lagers machen können - nicht zuletzt auch, um die bedeutenden kulturellen Leistungen der Lagerinsassen zu würdigen.
Le but de ce site est de prendre contact avec les familles des prisonniers allemands, autrichiens, hongrois, ottomans, alsaciens-lorrains... qui ont été internés, pendant la Première Guerre mondiale, dans le camp de l’Ile Longue (Finistère).
Home
By Christopher Kunze. Translation : Barbara & Roger Stephan.
In the magazine of the camp “Die Insel-Woche-”, the articles written about the crafts remind us of the editorial which presents the civilizing and humanist major principles of the newspaper.
“Die Insel-Woche” states the presence of the following corporate associations in the camp : wood sculpture, marquetry, stringed- instrument making, drawing, sculpture, model making, joinery and cabinet making, painting and tapestry, tinplate making, florist, mechanical engineering, shoe repair, and wood-turning. There are drawings which show that some of these groups of craftsmen have their own workshops; which is the case, for example of the shoemakers, turners, and tailors.
- Holzschuhwerkstatt, Schneiderei, Insel-Druckerei /
Saboterie, atelier de couture, Insel-imprimerie /
Sabot-making, Dressmaker’s shop, Insel-print office - Grundriss / Plan au sol / Ground plan
- Schuhmacher / Cordonniers / Shoemaker
- Schneiderei / atelier de couture / tailors
- Holzschuhwerkstatt 1 / Saboterie 1 / Sabot-making 1
- Holzschuhwerkstatt 2 / Saboterie 2 / Sabot-making 2
The following article extracted from N 4 (p. 1) that appeared on April 29th, 1917, reflects the aesthetic and edifying attitude, of Die Insel-Woche towards the activities proposed to the prisoners, either it is about intellectual, physical activities or, as here, crafts.
"For a second crafts exhibition.
In August, 1915, an exhibition of crafts and artistic objects made in the camp took place in the canteen solemnly decorated. The characteristic lines of a slow evolution extending from simple and useful objects, up to ornamental wood sculptures, paintings, etc… were so combined. The exhibition presented the development of a movement of civilization to a reduced scale which, at first, favored the practical aspect, whereas later the search for a certain beauty was installed. The objects normally scattered and inaccessible for the public, hidden in the darkness of one of the sheds, were shown in the light of day in a clear presentation, giving new ideas and opening new paths. Yes, in this various display, the spirit which looks and aspires to the height always recovers in spite of all the oppressive obstacles. The desire of activity which wants to express itself managed to show itself vigorously.
- Handwerksausstellung / Exposition d’artisanat / Crafts exhibition
- Grundriss / Plan au sol / Ground plan
What about today? After two years of a steady continuation of these activities, is it not the moment to again create a global presentation ? Would it not be possible to find some people who would have the pleasure to take on hand the organization of another exhibition of this type?
In my opinion, a regrouping of the available objects today, would bring great surprise and would find a large participation. Many flowers blossom in secret, many talents develop in silence - these creations concern us because they can bring us pleasure and new ideas."
A word about the identity of the author of the aforementioned article whose flowery and incantatory style can make us smile, even irritate the French reader of today who could see the »Germanic heaviness". Let us not forget, however, that this text dates from a time which tended for the moving and grandiloquent formula – especially, let us not forget the painful and unpredictable conditions, which urge this author to express himself. He is the Pasteur Friedrich Homme.
- Drehbank 2 / Tour 2 / Lathe 2
- Drehbank 1 / Tour 1 / Lathe 1
On the subject of crafts, you can also see Die Insel-Woche, 2nde series, 1re year, N 28 (with illustrations)
Contact
