Danube-Networkers
Interview with Mr. Hailbronner
Text: Hanns Hanagarth
Interview with Mr. Hailbronner, key member in Ulm Schifferverein (Ulm Skippers' Association)
Within the scope of the interview series "The Danube / Danube countries" my interview partners is Dieter Hailbronner. Mr. Hailbronner belongs to an old-established Ulmer family. Like all generations before him he is also a key member in Ulmer Schifferverein, an association maintaining ancient traditions and a special respect to the river Danube.
Mr. Hailbronner what connection has your family to the Danube?
The connection of our family to the Danube is very strong. She has lived centuries on the Danube namely as a fishing family, however, also as Danube-skippers who transported goods on the Danube.
Then your family was always a member in this skipper's association. Have you become practically with your birth a member in the skipper's association?
Yes, one can say so. The skipper's association is, so to speak, the successor organisation of the guild of the shipper people at that time and was, and is always, also a family community and when one is born in such a family, he is automatically a member.
How many members does the association have and what duties do they have?
Today the skipper's association has about 120-150 members, I do not know exactly. The member's duties consist e.g. in the fact that he organises and takes part in the "Fischerstechen" (a traditional fishermen's competition on the Danube) and in the care of the social contacts of the families.
Are all members integrated in the same measure into the association work?
In itself, yes, but well, there are differences. Some are engaged very strongly and others less. But, in principle, everybody takes part in the Fischerstechen, even 4-5 years old ones, as we have seen in this year's Fischerstechen.
The Fischerstechen has taken place on the Danube on both last Sundays after 5 years once again. Have you taken part in it actively?
Yes certainly. For decades I was a driver. Then for decades a secretary of the association and some years the second chairman. But I do not have these offices now any more and because of my age have also not taken part in the Fischerstechen.
What must a coming citizen moved to Ulm do now to become a member in the skipper's association?
Now it is checked whether he belongs to one of these families or he has married into them, it is not too strict in this respect. But he must belong to one of these old fishing families or skipper's families. Not everyone can become member.
How often have you yourselves already driven down the Danube with "Ulmer Schachtel" ?
Twice. Once to Vienna and once to Passau. However, this was already in the 50s and 60s.
How many people take part in such a journey?
This is different, about 15-20. I am not a member of the society of the Danube friends who organises these journeys. I have participated because a member of the skippers association organised these journeys at that time and he was also member with the Danube friends.
Describe to me, please, a typical travel day on the Danube.
I can talk only of that time, but today it will not be much different. There are different speeds and at that time we have reached on the first day Donauwörth. On the upper Danube it goes faster; further downstream in the shallow waters, the day distances get shorter, sometimes only a few kilometres.
What does then such a man's society do the whole day on the ship, on the river?
As already said it was 40 or 44 years ago when I took part, but everybody is in a good mood und there are also people who understand something of cooking, so that there is good food and of course drink. We were also swimming. I can still remember a place at which the river run slowly. At that time the Danube was not so built up, will say less power stations. But, otherwise, no big things have "happened" on the ship.
You said that you have come with Ulmer Schachtel to Vienna. Were you in other Danube countries?
No. Vienna was up to now the most eastern Danube town in which I was.
Dou you have a special experience from your journeys about which you can tell us?
No, not really. As I said, it goes back 40 - 50 years and for me was the participation in itself t h e experience.
Have you been busy with the Danube in the course of your professional life in Ulm?
No. I was on the staff on the administration of the City of Ulm and had nothing to do with the Danube directly, and did not worked in any office which regulated the use of the Danube in any form.
What does the Danube mean now for you today in comparison to former times in political sense?
It is quite astonishing of course that the Danube has moved in the centre of interest.
However, this was pre-programmed by the political development and the opening of the east, this is clear. In Ulm one has recognised this very early already. Take for example the first Danube-Festival, which was in 1989 and was still called East-West-Festival. That was the beginning. I mean the beginning of the recognition of the Danube playing an always increasing role in a cultural, economical and political way.
This was a wonderful statement in the end of the interview.
I thank you for the conversation. All the best, Mr. Hailbronner.
What is Fischerstechen?
In Ulm, on two Sundays before the "Oath Day" (the Monday before the last in July) Fischerstechen takes place. It starts with a colourful procession of about 300 participants in historical costumes that bring Ulm history to life. On Ulm squares drums accompany the historical dances of the fisher trades.
Amongst the participants are also 15 "Stecherpaare", who have to compete in the afternoon in the actual Fischerstechen. The Stechen is a historical competition, similar to knights' tournaments, however without horses. In narrow boats, the so called Zillen, the competitors drive at each other and with spears try to push each other in the water.
