[VideoView]

Konrad Lochmann

After the return - option: timber merchant
video length:
03:52
interviewer:
Ruth Deutschmann
photography:
Benjamin Epp
copyright location:
Tisens
date of recording:
2008-05-06
English translation by:
Sylvia Manning-Baumgartner
Italian translation by:
Nicole D´Incecco
event
[1948-02-08] Return option Until 1949, there are an estimated 10,000 South Tyrol, which are illegally returned to the homeland back. Since 1949, they return legally and we speak of 9,600 people until 1958. The biggest Prole, however, are opting parties who did not leave the home due to various circumstances, for they are not Italian citizens, but again not Austrian or German. The problem of DPs - Displaced Persons. After a Dektret of 5 February can make simple optants within three months, a statement on the maintenance of Italian citizenship. From Germany naturalized, but not naturalized optants must apply in this period for Italian citizenship.
place of recording
$child2[$rel_i18n_id][0]
???iuimd_video_v_zeit_zuordnung_en???:
1940
transcription:
Yes, ideally I start after school. That was 1940 / 1941 - I think the fall of 1940 ... And as it went about Michael Gamper, making the possibility of a return option. But it was not easy. My dear wife - the mother - was friends with Michael family. And since we have enforced that we can make a return option. This has been done perfectly in Bolzano. We had to go to the government commissioner and signed, all voluntary, no - he was very kind and friendly and the Italians. Really, very friendly and nice. And there were some families, also from Tisens some, but mainly my parents - so my Bertha, which have impelled me to the back option. And as we were done there, I was home. Moment. I worked in agriculture, have no job needed. I have had enough work at home. As our farmers need to provide timber, deliver wood for five northern Italian cities. And the farmers have asked me to accompany them to the Commission. The Commission was in Nals, there was the military. And the agricultural cooperative, which has funded. And the farmers have asked me - they were Italians - that because I represent the farmers. Since one has to negotiate, you know? Made of 100 meters makes it 80 and so and the boy has since used. We were there the whole day with the farmers of Tisens there. When the conversation was finished with the peasants, says the officer who looked at me constantly .. "What's yours?" Then I said - friendly petitioning -: "The peasants do not speak Italian and you are not German, I would be a mediator." I could represent the farmers. And the thing was done, he invited me to dinner. First he yelled at me and then invited to what I have gladly accepted. I spoke Italian. He asked if I would be interested, standing before the table instead of behind it. Fetch wood from the farmers, and make for the farmers. I say, "Yes, right now I am free" .. and say that I have rückoptiert and he could take me for the return option. I was there in that moment. Then he says, yes, if I was interested, he might need me. He could pass me the area Merano, a lot of work! I must serve five northern Italian cities with firewood.