Anton Günther to be honored with mega concert

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.

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