.SOMETIMES RAW.

Hello!

Do you know Friedrich Rückert? Have you read any of his poems? No? Well, let me give you some details about him. Friedrich Rückert (16 May 1788 – 31 January 1866) was a German poet, born in Schweinfurt, a translator and a professional in Oriental languages. He worked as a professor for Oriental languages at the University of Erlangen and later Berlin. He resigned in 1849 and lived in his estate in Neuses near Coburg. You can visit the Friedrich Rückert Museum there which is amazing. I was impressed by his writing/study room. 

This is most likely one of Friedrich Rückert’s most famous poems, accompanied by an orchestra which made people sit quietly in their seats at a concert hall and simply listen to the words and music. Rückert describes this vision of a “big silence” – just this big silence and the longing of it in a world full of noise and craziness.

Friedrich Rückert died 150 yeas ago in Coburg and this is why there are many festivals, reading and lectures in his honor throughout the city. Not many people know why he wrote all this poetry and songs about the death of children. Two of his favorite children – Luise and Ernst, died of Scarlet Fever early in their lives, and Rückert suffered from their death and wrote more than 400 songs for them.

Not many remember Friedrich Rückert these days. Actually, I am one of them. I heard of him but have not read many on his works and was surprised about the plethora of poems he wrote. He knew and spoke approximately 45 languages! Along with colleagues, he is a founder of the “German Orientalists”. He translated the Koran and many arabic folk songs. Other famous sentimental songs are “Aus der Jugendzeit” , “Du bist die Ruh, der Friede mild”.  Also his poem/song “Dein König kommt in niedern Hüllen” (1834) can be still found in protestant song books. My dad says “Mein Freund und Kupferstecher” once in a while which is a saying by Rückert when he was traveling in Italy. He met the german  painter Carl Barth in Rom and used to greet him with these words.

Initially, Rückert studied law in Würzburg but changed soon to language studies. He then went to Hildburghausen and became a member of the “Freimauererloge: “Karl zum Rautenkranz”. He was an intern in Jena and College professor before he came back to Würzburg. He wrote unter the pseudonym “Freimund Reimar” and published “Geharnischte Sonette” against the Napoleon Troops. Rückert claimed that everything greek has an oriental origin and his colleagues did not like that. He made many others claims regarding philosophy that people did not approve of. Also his appearance – especially his hair and clothing that was different from everybody else.

Rückert acted as a private teacher  in Ebern and Coburg from 1819-1826. This was also the time when he translated the Koran. He married Luise Wiethaus-Fischer from Coburg and they had ten kids. Rückert became professor for oriental languages and literature in 1826 in Erlangen. King Friedrich Wilhelm IV named him “Geheimer Regierungsrat” and gave him the congregation or medal “Pour le Mérite”. Seven years later, Rückert came back to Coburg/Neuses and moved to the “Nattermanshof”. He did not teach and lecture anymore but enjoyed the silence and solitude of his office to write poems. After his wife Luise passed away in 1857 he became more an more lonely and desolate. All he wanted in his final years was to be reunited with Luise. 

Coburg distributed the Rückert-Award for the fourth time. In 2016, the Coburger Rückert-Preis goes to the German translation of Turkish Literature. This award will be distributed at the Town Hall on 31 January 2016, the day of Rückert’s death – 150 years ago. There is a shortlist of authors for the Coburger Rückert-Award: writer Yesim Agoaglu, writer Oya Baydar, Physician Asli Erdogan, writer: Sema Kaygusuz and Ali Hasan Toptas. The Turkish Literature is not too well knows in Germany. I do read a lot and I have never read a book by a Turkish author. Rückert does play a huge role in the World and Art of Literature and opens the horizon for something new. The Turkish Literature has a plethora of novels and poetry written by female writers. The Coburger Rückert Award goes mainly  to authors of the Arabic, Iranian/Afghan, Turkish, Indian and other oriental languages. 

Friedrich Rückert’s died on 31 January 1886 – 150 years ago. Annemarie Schimmel wrote this amazing biography about Rückert which I am currently reading. 

Thank you for reading my blog. 

Hello! 

Coburg seems to have it all now – especially, since this amazing Sushi Restaurant opened! The owner and sushi chefs made this restaurant very special and show the uncompromised and pure sushi making at its best. The SushiBar is nicely renovated with a freshened up, clean interior. The visual impression  invites to have lunch or dinner  in the small but beautiful arranged dining room on the upper floor. On the first floor is the small kitchen and sushi bar where usually two chefs prepare sushi very fresh. Here, you can also wait for your take-out. There is no seating on the first floor/entrance. 

The interior is kept in darker colors with inviting, comfortable lighting. The sound level is pleasantly quiet with just a bit of music in the background. The restaurant offers sake, wine and beer and a small selection of soft drinks and rice tea. I like that the main focus of the restaurant is the food and nothing distracts the attention from it. One feels like eating in a somewhat peaceful sanctuary and be in a pure and clean environment.  The pictures below show the entrance area. 

You will find not too many fancy sushi rolls, which I loved. These chefs do not play around with too much seasoning and adding a lot. You will also enjoy classic japanese-style portions and be served pickled ginger and wasabi with your choice of sushi. 

You have the opportunity to order pre-set combinations or à la carte. If you order the pre-set combination, the chef chooses: however, as a sushi lover, you will not be disappointed. The sushi tastes very fresh and has rich flavor. I loved the texture of the chewy squid and of course the salmon and tuna sashimi. The sashimi felt like it is melting in my mouth. I closed my eyes several times as I ate, simply concentrating on this exquisite flavor sensations. I focused solely on the experience of eating. 

The Menu

You will find different choices of Nigiri, Maki and Ura Maki. Also, a variety of appetizers, salads (I highly recommend their seaweed salad with soy), soups (from the traditional Miso-soup to Ramen!), Bento Box (just for lunch) and desserts. I did not try a dessert but they are kept pretty light. From rice cake to green-tea ice-cream – you will find the perfect choice to round up the meal. SushiBar also offers Take-out: Only Sushi and salads! The only items I missed were sea urchin and edamame. 

SushiBar is definitely a place I will visit again. Maybe the next time for lunch to try a Bento Box. The personnel is very friendly and make your stay at the restaurant special. The chef is able to transform simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal at this warm and friendly place.

It is recommended to make reservations for dinner.

SUSHI BAR

Badergasse 3

96450 Coburg

Tel: 09561.427399-8

Open from Monday – Saturday, 11am-10pm. Closed on Sunday

Thank you for reading my blog. 

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

I had to think for a second how I can write this as clearly and precisely as possible without offending anybody. I usually prayed the most whenever I thought I needed help. Otherwise, not really. When I grew up it was mandatory to join either catholic or protestant education in school. Then some parents complained and the school started offering “ethic education” if your are neither catholic nor protestant. I have been raised catholic by going to church on Christmas eve and that was that. We never practiced anytime else. I have been baptized, had my holy communion and confirmation as well as lectures to be a godmother for my nephew Paul. We had to go to confession when we were nine years old to tell the priest what we did wrong and I was so scared what to say. What do you tell a priest at that age? That you took another kid’s toys and they cried? You threw a rock at the neighbors garage? I was terrified of that day of confession and thought about all the things that might happen to me if I say something wrong. “God will find out sooner or later” the priest told us. (Thunder, lightning and evil laughter in the background while scary music is playing)

I know now that it is all about faith. My friend T. Erichsen would say that you can easily believe in the Flying Spaghetti Monster! I do believe that there is something out there. Some energy – this universe is huge and we are so tiny in comparison. Energies are always swirling and flowing around. There are so many stories of near death experiences or assisted dying where all this comes up and souls or energy find a new place to life somewhere. Who knows what will happen when we die. Maybe it is simply the end and nothing happens. 

Religion is okay. Whatever works for you and makes you happy, right? But it is scary in the means when someone goes overboard. The extremists who follow blindly or blow things up. Sadly, we hear about that way too often in the news.  However, I love learning about all of it, but at the same time my thoughts are with the bad in the world and it does not make sense to me. It never will. I don’t want anybody or anything to tell me how to live my life or make someone else feel bad for living outside of what they believe to be their right way to live.  

I believe in me. That I can deal with this life to the best of my knowledge and feel comfortable with myself. I believe in energy and science. I believe to be kind and to do the things that feel right to me. I believe that the universe has a plan for everyone. If things don’t work out they are not meant to be and something else will wait around the corner. I guess whatever we put out there, we get. Karma has often worked for me and I do understand that when one door closes another will open and it will all happen in some order. I constantly question everything in life and who knows what the truth really is. Maybe we are all wrong! 

I will live my life here and now. I base my decisions on what I believe is right and true and I know that love is one of the most important things. Honestly, this is enough for me. This is just my opinion. I only have this one life and I want to make it right for me and especially do everything I do with love. Love myself and love my family. 

Let me know your thoughts on this topic. I am really interested to hear your opinion.

Thank you for reading my blog.