Anton Günther to be honored with mega concert

His song "Feierobnd" ("Feierabend") is considered the unofficial anthem of the Ore Mountains and still accompanies many a funeral in this country today. The singer and dialect poet Anton Günther (1876-1937) is to be duly celebrated this year on the 150th anniversary of his birth. The image campaign "So geht sächsisch" and the Erzgebirge Art and Culture Association have launched an appeal for this.

150 musicians are to perform Günther hits

On 17 May, 150 musicians are to take to the stage on the market square in Annaberg-Buchholz and perform Günther hits such as "Vergass dei Hamit net!" ("Don't forget your homeland"). ("Don't forget your homeland"), "Wu de Wälder hamlich rausch'n" ("Where the forests secretly rustle") and the "Feieromd" song. Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) personally invited people to join in on Friday.

Kretschmer: Those who speak dialect pass on their homeland

The aim is to "celebrate Anton Günther's legacy and keep it alive", said Kretschmer. "His poems and songs tell of nature, work and community - themes that still touch and connect people today. Making music together brings to life the values that Anton Günther stood for: love of one's homeland, solidarity and dialect as an expression of cultural identity. Anyone who speaks - or sings - dialect passes on a piece of home."

"Anton Günther has given the Erzgebirge a resonant voice. His songs combine music, dialect and love of his homeland into a legacy that still creates identity and connects generations today," emphasized Georg-Stefan Seidl from the Erzgebirge Art and Culture Association. With the "150 for Anton Günther" campaign, the aim is to send a visible signal for the vitality and future of Erzgebirge culture.

Beard wearers welcome

Beard wearers are particularly welcome at the spectacle. At the beginning of the year, the art and culture association announced the "Beard Challenge", which has since gained momentum on social networks. Until June 5 - Günther's 150th birthday - gentlemen are invited to grow a characteristic "Anton Günther memorial beard" and submit the results under hashtags such as "#AntonGünther150".

Anton Günther is considered the most important dialect poet, singer and composer in the Ore Mountains. "Some also call him the 'Bob Dylan of the Ore Mountains'", the State Chancellery made a bold comparison. Günther was born in Bozi Dar (Gottesgab) in northern Bohemia. The miner's son was not necessarily born with a gift for folk art. He initially wanted to work as a forester, but then learned to be a lithographer.

Icon of Erzgebirge folklore

After prematurely completing his apprenticeship, he took a job in Prague. Plagued by homesickness, he wrote songs there. "Derhaam is derhaam" became his first hit. He became an icon of Erzgebirge folklore with his jop, hat, pipe and guitar. His oeuvre comprises almost 200 songs. He performed in pubs, clubs and even in front of King Friedrich August III, sang in Oberwiesenthal and Dresden as well as Berlin and Vienna. Shellac records and postcards spread his works throughout Germany. He also invented the "song postcard" - illustrated cards with lyrics, sheet music and drawings.