Latest news with #St.PauliMuseum
Washington Post
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
St. Pauli grapples with stadium hymn because of lyric-writer's alleged Nazi links
HAMBURG, Germany — Bundesliga club St. Pauli is grappling with a decision on whether to continue playing its traditional stadium hymn following recent allegations of the lyric-writer's links to Nazis. Lyrics to the song, 'Das Herz von St. Pauli,' or the Heart of St. Pauli, were written by Josef Ollig, whose previously unknown war-time activities were documented in a podcast by the St. Pauli Museum.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
St. Pauli grapples with stadium hymn because of lyric-writer's alleged Nazi links
HAMBURG, Germany (AP) — Bundesliga club St. Pauli is grappling with a decision on whether to continue playing its traditional stadium hymn following recent allegations of the lyric-writer's links to Nazis. Lyrics to the song, 'Das Herz von St. Pauli,' or the Heart of St. Pauli, were written by Josef Ollig, whose previously unknown war-time activities were documented in a podcast by the St. Pauli Museum. Ollig, a journalist who was drafted into the Luftwaffe (German air force) in 1940, worked as a war correspondent and produced reports that appeared alongside Nazi propaganda, the museum said. St. Pauli opted not to play the song before its Bundesliga match against Freiburg on Saturday, a decision that has caused division among fans with some booing club president Oke Göttlich and others applauding. 'We're all attached to the song, including me, but a stadium anthem doesn't work if 20, 30 or 40% are against it,' Sven Brux, the head of matchday organization, told the crowd. 'We have to discuss this in a debate that has only just begun.' It was the first time in around 20 years that the club did not play the hymn before one of its home games. 'Debates in this club are what has made this club great,' Göttlich told the fans. St. Pauli and its fans are known for taking a clear stand against racism, fascism and right-wing politics. 'Many members and fans have made it clear that they no longer feel comfortable with the song,' the club said on its website, noting that the hymn is now dividing the fans rather than bringing them together. The club said it was undertaking more research into the song and the author of the lyrics before more discussions can be held, including at an event involving the club museum and fan shop where the results of the research will be presented. 'Only then will a final decision be made about how to deal with the song,' the club said. St. Pauli in 1999 renamed its stadium from Wilhelm-Koch-Stadion to Millerntor-Stadion because of Koch's Nazi past. ___ AP soccer:
Associated Press
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
St. Pauli grapples with stadium hymn because of lyric-writer's alleged Nazi links
HAMBURG, Germany (AP) — Bundesliga club St. Pauli is grappling with a decision on whether to continue playing its traditional stadium hymn following recent allegations of the lyric-writer's links to Nazis. Lyrics to the song, 'Das Herz von St. Pauli,' or the Heart of St. Pauli, were written by Josef Ollig, whose previously unknown war-time activities were documented in a podcast by the St. Pauli Museum. Ollig, a journalist who was drafted into the Luftwaffe (German air force) in 1940, worked as a war correspondent and produced reports that appeared alongside Nazi propaganda, the museum said. St. Pauli opted not to play the song before its Bundesliga match against Freiburg on Saturday, a decision that has caused division among fans with some booing club president Oke Göttlich and others applauding. 'We're all attached to the song, including me, but a stadium anthem doesn't work if 20, 30 or 40% are against it,' Sven Brux, the head of matchday organization, told the crowd. 'We have to discuss this in a debate that has only just begun.' It was the first time in around 20 years that the club did not play the hymn before one of its home games. 'Debates in this club are what has made this club great,' Göttlich told the fans. St. Pauli and its fans are known for taking a clear stand against racism, fascism and right-wing politics. 'Many members and fans have made it clear that they no longer feel comfortable with the song,' the club said on its website, noting that the hymn is now dividing the fans rather than bringing them together. The club said it was undertaking more research into the song and the author of the lyrics before more discussions can be held, including at an event involving the club museum and fan shop where the results of the research will be presented. 'Only then will a final decision be made about how to deal with the song,' the club said. St. Pauli in 1999 renamed its stadium from Wilhelm-Koch-Stadion to Millerntor-Stadion because of Koch's Nazi past. ___
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
St. Pauli opt to suspend playing of controversial club anthem
Bundesliga side St. Pauli – two weeks after making a principled political statement in the pre-match buildup to their last home fixture – are making more changes ahead of kick-offs at the Millerntor. On Friday, Hamburg's Kiezkicker announced that they would be suspend the playing of club anthem 'Das Herz von St. Pauli' for the time being. Club ultras and the St. Pauli Museum have reported grave concerns about the historical background of original composer Josef Ollig. Ollig worked as a journalist in Hamburg after serving in the second World War. He composed the ballad in the mid-1950s. It's since been covered by numerous artists, including legendary German punk rock artists die Tote Hosen, Schlager king Heino, the famous hip-hop trio Fettes Brot, and Hamburg's own 'elf'. A rock version usually blares from the Millerntor PA prior to St. Pauli home matches. The club museum and supporters have approached management with documented research suggesting that Ollig produced Nazi propaganda during the war. There remains some debate about this. Moreover, the fact that so many different artists have covered the song – which serves as a ballad to the area – also renders it questionable as to whether the original source is relevant. In any event, St. Pauli president Oke Göttlich accepted the petition of the supporters and opted to put the issue on the back-burner for now. In large part, it's because whistles and jeers have accompanied the playing of the anthem recently. Journalist Sebastian Wulff of Kicker supplied some quotes from Göttlich in a Friday article. 'We absolutely know and understand that the song has a very great emotional significance for many people,' Göttlich is quoted as saying. 'This can and should remain so on a personal level, but an anthem in the stadium has a special function. Such a song should bring people together. It should be a shared, unifying moment. 'Such a moment cannot be created at the moment, because many members and fans have made it clear that they no longer feel comfortable with the song,' Göttlich continues. 'If there are whistles when the anthem is played, that is unacceptable and helps no one. We can be proud that our club and our fans face difficult situations and do not avoid discussions, but instead conduct them openly.' GGFN | Peter Weis
