English Translation

Desdheidung zum Prager sunstleben St. Prague, in Januar. One of the most urgent questions we have to ask about 1940 is that of the art of German cultural life in Prague. The last autumn months have brought us in many areas the beginning of a generous expansion work; theatre and university have been restored in new form, the Volks- 52a Bildungsstätte lays down its large work programme bor. In the musical field, too, there have been some great successes, and Prague's educational artists have once again demonstrated their skills in several exhibitions. It would be presumptuous to demand that in a short time already everywhere Bollkommenes was geichasien; but the presence of the German cultural forces is unmistakable. The services presented so far will also be regarded as just the seats of the governing bodies. In the near future, a powerful building Lupn ommpny op! German culture will be built on them, which will ensure Prague Sr /t. its leadership position in the Jewish and East German regions in this respect as well. Juil flar! Now it was necessary to oppose certain opinions which see in Prague only a small town of some -zig thousand German ginwohnern F. With a jo relatively weak German Ifo population, they argue, Prague has only anipruch on the cultural life of a correspondingly fleeting provincial city. With this short M 1841.40. In the context of cultural sociology, we know that especially small and smallest German cities, especially in the Füdddeutscen and in the fudeten- en- gerne. while, conversely, some city mammoths have produced and consu mated heartily little spirit. Meiningen's example, which claimed the rank of the leading theatre stadi with a gin population of less than 20,000 yghrteenth in Deutichland and beyond its borders, whose acting troupe and orchestra travelled half of Europe under Hans von Bülow, the examples of Salzburg and Bayreuth with their world-famous art. Performances may stand for many others here. Like these cities, Prague, with its fine German population, has done incorruptible things in the field of theatre and music. Since the days of Mozart, the Prague audience has been asked to change so east and so, one thing has been preserved: the preference for spike performances and the instinctive rejection of the second-kiafs. In this respect, the peaceful competition of the two nations has been fruitful; and the Prague German. tum, in view of the indisputable Czech cultural achievements on musical grounds, has no reason to reduce fine legitimate claims. In addition to Berlin. Vienna and Munich, Prague belongs to the cities that are called upon. It is a good thing that these thoughts have been urgently recognized by the leading men ai, and that they are intended to be realized in an indirect way by the engulfing circumstances. Already in 6400 of the next few months, guest performances of the leading German opera stages will be held. Concerts under Dentschland's first conductors from Furt wängler to Karajan. Soloist evenings of the greatest singers and instrumentalists will perform alongside the proven performances of our theatre. A series of festive events, which is planned for May, will once again unite these casts to a powerful demonstration of unceremonious vulturism. In addition to this, outstanding personalities of the German spiritual life should be permanently bound to Prague, so that the cultural life of the city is no longer dependent on bonds from outside. The glorious spiritual meber depths - UE T of the former Deutichen Raiserresidenz will thus find its continuation and its coronation: - Prague. non-deutche small town in the Bohemian region. will again be the world city. dour kuitureller splendour shines over the imperial borders away from the east and the southeast Furopas.