Ruth Deutschmann

Benjamin Epp

Wien

2008-04-29

Sylvia Manning - Baumgartner

Nicole D´Incecco

1809

But, looking back in history there are some interesting things: Who started this Andreas Hofer hero worship? You find that the British were influential because this uprising... The British had implemented the continental ban over France. The events in Tyrol were a symbol for rebellion against Napoleon. Using the methods of the times, today it would be called propaganda, they emphasized the following: It's possible to rebel against Napoleon. That's quite interesting. It is somehow ludicrous to sing the verse of the Andreas Hofer song: "All of Germany, in disgrace and pain." The Bavarian's pain was relative. Maybe the pain they felt in combat but surely not the affectionate memory of the poor Tyroleans. Those are strange things that happen as time goes by. I think it is inherent to anthems that they are not necessarily very tasteful. But you shouldn't mind too much about that.