"Durch König Artus’ Land: Briefe aus Wales"

Name of traveller

Klaus Königsberger

Reason for travel

• according to preface, travel occurred most likely owing to business-related matters

Date of travel

date has been obscured -- journey in the month of May some time between 1981 and 1984

Die Inder, Hunderttausende leben inzwischen in Großbritannen, fristen ihre Existenz unter anderm, wie der Markt in Wrexham beweist, als fliegende Kaufleute. Wie gut oder wie schlecht, vermag ich nicht zu sagen. Aber ich weiß, daß sie Probleme genug haben, auf der Insel zu leben, und daß es bereits organisierte Gruppen in der britischen Gesellschaft gibt, die ihnen das Recht darauf streitig machen wollen. (Königsberger 145)

Content

• traveller from East Germany
• a number of letters to an undidentified friend in East Germany
• history: very observant of recent social, economic and political developments, but also goes into long explanations of Welsh history
• language: references to the Sorbs as an ethnic minority in Germany that shares many of the experiences of Welsh-language speakers
• people:
  • travel companion ‘Mister Mc.’ is a travel agent from London, particularly knowledgeable of Welsh history and culture
  • addresses the surprise of the people he meets on his journey as they discover his GDR citizenship
  • relates anecdote about the journey of the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra on their first visit to Wrexham

Nationality of traveller

German

Language of publication

German

Gender of traveller

Male

Type of publication

letter; travelogue

Citation

Königsberger, Klaus. "Durch König Artus’ Land: Briefe aus Wales." Ankunft und Abschied: Reisen auf 3 Kontinenten. Leipzig: Brockhaus, 1986. 133-80. Print.