Breitenstein's letters reveal moving student years in Göttingen

Breitenstein's letters reveal moving student years in Göttingen

It has historical roots in the canton of Basel-Landschaft, as two talented theology students moved to Göttingen over 170 years ago to continue their studies. Jonas Breitenstein and Martin Grieder, later known as Martin Birmann, embarked on this journey in 1851, which not only shaped their lives, but also influenced future generations of pastors and writers. Volksstimme.ch reports that Breitenstein's personal letters from this time can now be read in a newly published book.

Breitenstein, born on August 22, 1828 in Ziefen, came from a family of teachers - his father was the village school teacher Hans Heinrich Breitenstein. Together with Grieder, he attended the pedagogy in Basel and was able to study thanks to the visionary school inspector Johannes Kettiger, who looked after talented students in the region. In order to overcome the financial hurdles of their education, Breitenstein's father took out a loan, which illustrates the hardships the two students faced. They lived a simple life and had their lunch brought to them from a food stall. Jonas-Breitenstein.com also describes the close connection between Breitenstein and Grieder, which was shaped not only by their time as students, but also by their later involvement in poor relief.

Literary legacy and social commitment

Breitenstein's letters show his curiosity and his literary talent. Among other things, they focus on travel, including a trip to the sea and visits to central Germany. After successfully completing his studies and pastoral exams in Liestal in 1852, Breitenstein became a pastor in Binningen. He continually put his heart and soul into helping the poor and in 1870 took over the office of secretary of the Voluntary Relief Service for the Poor in Basel, which he held until his death in 1877. In the last years of his life he published numerous literary works that consolidated his status as an important representative of poetic realism.

Grieder, known as Martin Birmann, was also valued for his socio-political contributions. He was an unpaid poor inspector until 1888 and, as president of the Poor Education Association, helped to improve the living conditions of those in need. During his work as a councilor for the canton of Baselland from 1869 to 1890, Birmann was involved in founding the “Basellandschaftliche Zeitung” and advocated for the construction of a new hospital in Liestal.

A look into the past

The book launch of Breitenstein's letters recently took place at Bider and Tanner. Speakers involved such as Alfred Rüdisühli and Thomas Schweizer emphasized the importance of the letters for understanding the time. A modern text fragment by Dominik Wunderlin, which traces Breitenstein's footsteps in Germany, adds a contemporary perspective to the work.

Such retrospectives are important for understanding the roots of social engagement and the literary tradition. Breitenstein and Grieder not only shaped their time with their work, but also paved the way for the next generation.

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