Paris To Berlin Rizal
Paris To Berlin Rizal
Paris To Berlin Rizal
to
BERLIN
In Gay Paris,
In Gay Paris,
In Historic Heidelberg,
On February 3, 1886, he
arrived in Heidelberg, a
historic City in Germany
famous for its old university
and romantic surroundings.
In Historic Heidelberg,
On July 31, 1886 Rizal wrote his first letter in German to professor
Ferdinand Blumentritt, Director of the Ateneo of Leitmeritz,
Austria. In his letter he said:
Rizal found out that the cost of living in Leipzig was cheaper so he stayed for
two months and a half.
On October 29, he left Leipzig for Dresden where he met Dr. Adolf B. Meyer
Rizal heard mass in a Catholic church and it impressed him so much for he
wrote on his diary : Truly I have never in my life heard a mass whose music
had greater sublimity and intonation.
Rizal was enchanted by Berlin because of its scientific atmosphere and the absence
of rare prejudice. In this city, he came in contact with great scientists.
One of the important letters Rizal made when he was in Germany was addressed to
his sister Trinidad, it says:
the German women, is serious, diligent, educated, and friendly. She is not gossipy,
frivolous and quarrelsome like the Spanish woman. She is not particular about beautiful
dresses and expensive jewelry, though she could dress nicely like any other women in
the world.
Rizal regretted that in the Philippines, the women are more interested in how they
dress than in how much they know.
Accordingly, Rizal advised her sister, Trinidad: Now that you are still young you
should strive to read, read and learn. You must not allow yourself to be conquered by
indolence because it costs so little to cast-off.
German Customs
The Christmas custom of the German delighted him most. Of this yuletide custom
he wrote: On Christmas eve, the people take from the bushes a pine tree,
selecting one which must not only be straight, but also must have leaves that do
not fall in spring; I mean that dry leaves are not leaves at all in tis particular case,
but are kind of small needle. It is adorned with lanterns, papers, lights, dolls,
candies, fruits, etc. ; and shown at night to the children. Around this tree is made
the family observance.
He could not pay his landlord, he had to scrimp eating only one
meal a day with cheap foods.
THANK YOU!