derStandard.at, May 8, 2015
German original: http://derstandard.at/2000015485338/Glueckseligs-Stammtisch-in-New-York
A Stammtisch in New York offered German-speaking immigrants the opportunity to converse in their mother tongue.
Until recently, a very special Stammtisch took place in New York every Wednesday. Gaby Glueckselig, who passed away in April, invited emigrants into her apartment. In her living room on the Upper East Side, the emigrated congregated at least once a week to speak German and to exchange stories. They talked about everyday life, politcs and cultre, but also about the stories of escape. Many guests were Jewish and fleed the National Socialists during World War II.
The Stammtisch was a tradition for over 70 years. It was founded during the 1940s by Bavarian writer Oskar Maria Graf and the Vienna-born artist George Harry Asher. At first the group met at an Austrian coffe house, later at a German restaurant in New York. The past 27 years they met in Glueckseligs apartment. ‘When I visited I was told that the Stammtisch was not cancelled one single time since the 1940s”, says journalist and documentary filmmaker Emil Rennert. Together with photographer Shani Bar On he compiled a photo book about the Stammtisch.
Almost a Ritual – Gaby Glueckseligs Stammtisch of Emigrants in New York tells the stories of Glueckseligs guests and displays photos of a group that had found its second home. “Gaby was a wonderful hostess”, explains Rennert. “Unfortunately it is unclear what is going to happen to the Stammtisch now”.
Event information:
Almost a Ritual – Gaby Glueckseligs Stammtisch of Emigrants in New York
Friday, May 8, 2015, 7 pm
Lhotzkys Literaturbuffet Rotensterngasse 2 / Corner of Taborstrasse 28, 1020 Vienna
Book presentation
Monday, May 11, 2015, 7:30 pm
Tiempo Nuevo, Taborstrasse 17a, 1020 Vienna
Book presentation & reading.
For photos please consult the original article at http://derstandard.at/2000015485338/Glueckseligs-Stammtisch-in-New-York