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Dipl.-Vw. Dr. Ludwig Steiner
Andreas Hofer - a strong symbol
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Ruth Deutschmann
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Benjamin Epp
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Wien
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2008-04-29
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Sylvia Manning - Baumgartner
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Nicole D´Incecco
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1939
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Without a doubt, Andreas Hofer was a strong symbol in South Tyrol for German speaking Tyrol. You have to realise that also Tyroleans from Trentino stood up for Andreas Hofer. That is quite interesting as in those days awareness was for "one country", not ethnic categories. Following the route Andreas Hofer took to Mantua through the Nonstal valley and so on. It was impressive. During the fascist regime and the total prohibition of the German language and especially German schooling, it was important that there be a symbol. And Andreas Hofer was ideal for that. The people, especially the traditional Schützen, riflemen, felt strongly linked to Andreas Hofer. That turned him into the symbol of Tyrol... I must say that very much was achieved to conserve the language in South Tyrol with the secret schools and the underground language courses. That was an impressive accomplishment. It is a shame that in the end things changed drastically in 1939 with the option. But I believe that it is thanks to those schools that a whole generation can speak ? not only speak, but also write ? their own language.