Danube-Networkers
Interview with Dr.Wolf-Henning Petershagen
Interview: Christel Freytag and Brigitte Nguyen-Duong
Pictures and Camera: Michel Nguyen-Duong
Interview with Dr.Wolf-Henning Petershagen on 27 August 2009 concerning his latest book „Kleine Geschichte der Ulmer Schachteln"(A Short History of the Ulmer Schachteln).
Gitti: You wrote a new book about the Ulmer Schachteln. What made you do it?
It is the first time that the history of shipping on the Danube has been summarized in a concise survey with many pictures. The book is easy to read and people who are interested in the subject do not have any problems understanding it.
Christel: Why are you fascinated with the Ulmer Schachtel?
When talking about the Ulmer Schachtel we have to consider various aspects. On the one hand the Ulmer Schachtel is simply a boat. For the citizens of Ulm it also stands for open-mindedness and wanderlust that is to say a strong desire to travel to distant countries. Of course all this is related to the colours of the Ulmer Schachtel, namely the black and white stripes which are also the colours in the coat of arms of the City of Ulm. However I have to add that in the old days all the boats on the Danube were painted black and white. The citizens of Ulm do not know it and that is why they mistakenly believe that the Schachtel is a boat typical of Ulm. That is probably the reason why these boats, which in the past could be found everywhere on the Danube, today only exist in Ulm.
Gitti: What are the differences between a modern Schachtel and the original one?
They are almost totally different. What an old and a modern Schachtel have in common is the fact that they are flat river-boats without a keel. However the old Schachtel had a round rising bow and did not have an engine. It was taken down the river by a strong current. When water-power plants were built, engines were needed. Without an engine a modern Ulmer Schachtel would never reach its destination. A modern Schachtel does look like an old one, but in reality it is a high-tech boat with all kinds of modern equipmemt, for example a fridge to keep beer cold.
Gitti: The Ulmer Schachtel has become a symbol of the ties of friendship among the peoples living along the Danube. Today the borders are open. Do the citizens of Ulm still think of wanderlust and open-mindedness when they see a Schachtel?
H.P.: We should not exaggerate, but I feel that every citizen of Ulm longs for travelling in a Schachtel , because it is great. What is more travelling in it actually means a real slow-down. You move slowly. You get in touch with people living in the towns and villages along the river. Wherever the boat stops you are given a warm and delightful welcome. Of course this has to be organised in advance. As far as preparing the trips is concerned there are lots of diffenences. In Ulm there are five Ulmer Schachteln; the big one over there, for example, belongs to the Society of Friends of the Danube (Gesellschaft der Donaufreunde). To some extent they consider themselves as ambassadors of the City of Ulm. Before they start, they contact some of the towns and villages along the river and when they arrive, they are normally given an official reception.
Christel: You travelled on the Danube from Ulm to the Black Sea. Which parts did you find the most fascinating?
H.P.: The narrow parts are the most beautiful, such as the gorge near Weltenburg in Germany and the "Iron Gate"between Romania and Serbia. However, the "Iron Gate"has been changed considerably in recent years. A huge barrage was built and so the water level has risen by 30 meters.
But nevertheless both the gorge near Weltenburg and the "Iron Gate"are still the most attractive parts.
Gitti: Herr Petershagen, we thank you very much for what you told us about the Ulmer Schachtel.
