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Hameln reveals history: The podcast about the Pied Piper and the Queen!
Discover the fascinating history of Hamelin: from the Pied Piper to historical events and cultural traditions.
Hameln reveals history: The podcast about the Pied Piper and the Queen!
Things are getting busy again in Hameln, because the history podcast “The Day on which…” has exciting episodes at the start that bring local history to life in a spicy way. Moderated by Claudia Höflich, museum director in Hameln, and Frank Henke, Dewezet journalist, the podcast not only covers major historical events, but also the small, often inconspicuous stories that shape the city's character. As dewezet.de reports, there are a lot of exciting topics that listeners can expect.
The current episode overview goes from an uprising in Hameln Cathedral in 1538 to the visit of the Queen to the famous legend of the Pied Piper of Hameln. There is a story behind this that more than a billion people know, whether in Japan, the USA or elsewhere, because wikipedia.de explains that this legend has been translated into over 30 languages and was even added to UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage in 2014.
The legend of the Pied Piper
A crucial topic in the podcast is the abduction of 130 children by the Pied Piper on June 26, 1284. According to the legend that ndr.de describes, a mysterious man appeared in the city to tell the residents of a rat problem liberate. The citizens, relieved by the victory over the plagued animals, promised him a reward. However, when they didn't pay, the Pied Piper kidnapped the town's children as revenge and disappeared with them into a mountain.
What is particularly tragic is that only two of the children returned: one blind and the other mute. The legend continues to fascinate artists and writers today, and many have worked on its interpretation. From Goethe to Browning and Brecht – the Pied Piper story runs like a common thread through literature and art history.
Hamelin, a center of the Pied Piper culture
The city of Hamelin has now become a popular destination for tourists who want to explore the Pied Piper's footsteps. Many tourists, especially from Japan and the USA, visit this historical center to learn more about the background of the legend. Bungelosenstrasse, where music or dancing is not allowed out of respect for the lost children, is a place of quiet remembrance, while open-air plays keep history alive in the summer.
Every Sunday, exciting representations of the legend are presented outdoors, which last around 30 minutes and are free. The city has been awarding the Pied Piper Literature Prize for fantastic children's and young adult literature since 1984, which further boosts the cultural significance of the legend.
In recent years, various modern media have also brought a breath of fresh air to the old story: In 2020, a horror film called “The Pied Piper” was filmed in Hameln, and a ZDF series called “Hameln” will be broadcast in 2024.
The fascinating mix of history and fairy tales that the Pied Piper brings with him makes Hamelin not only a city with a rich cultural history, but also a place where old legends and modern challenges go hand in hand. So the next podcast date will certainly be a feast for the ears for all history enthusiasts!