Published: October 06, 2007 11:58 pm            

A little history lesson, new winter classes

It has been said that Stalin, upon hearing Beethoven’s “Appassionato” commented if “I listen to this music often, I will lose my ability to crack heads‚” — or something to that effect. In other words, to be Stalin, he had to put aside his humanity in order to function in his party.

The film “The Lives of Others,” directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, won the 2007 “Best Foreign Film category” at the Academy awards. It is a fascinating look at East Germany in the 1980s, before the tearing down of The Wall.

The story revolves around a member of the Stasi (secret police) and his surveillance of a local playwright who is suspected of writing material detrimental to the party — an offense punishable with imprisonment. We find out later that the Stasi boss actually wants this playwright’s actress as a lover, so the whole idea is planned to get rid of the playwright. (Evidence of the corruption of politics in communist Germany in the ‘80s. A beginning to an end.)

A line from the Stasi code of interrogating artists refers to locking them up with no contact with anyone for a few weeks, after which they are never able to create again. The suicide rate among artists is rising in the country and playwright Georg Dreman writes an article smuggled out of the country about the cause of such suicides — why they are going unreported to the world. How all this affects the surveillance officer might seem fantastically unreal, but that is the gist of the film.

One of the scenes in the film was filmed in the existing Stasi Archives, which contain information about each and every citizen of the republic, collaborators, treason condemned, all citizens registered. It is a horrifying look at a totalitarian regime. It is also a look at why we Americans work so hard to protect our rights.

While I was still in college, during the Vietnam war, Russian writer Solzhenitsyn brought us horror stories of the Gulag in Russia. Having been born and reared in America, it is hard to fully comprehend the horrors of such a stifling regime. To pretend such evil does not exist, however, is to bury one’s head in the sand. Humans are capable of such madness it appears.



Preservation of creativity



On a lighter note ...

Meridian Activity Center is again offering the freedom of enjoying oneself and making new friends without fear of retaliation — or high prices!

Registration is currently under way for winter classes, which begin Oct. 22. For the first time in at least two years, we have openings in a beginning smocking class on Tuesday afternoon. Returning classes this winter are Swedish Weaving, Dulcimer and a Monday evening One-Stroke Painting.

Local storyteller Sara Mutziger plans to teach another four-week class. Saturday classes to consider include Rouging, Bob Ross Painting, Flower Pot Painting, PMC Silver Jewelry, Beaded Jewelry and Caning.

The beginning PMC silver jewelry workshop last Saturday was a success; we are now offering a PMC Paper class on Oct. 13 and/or Oct. 27. This is a preregistration class; call for fees. It is also not too late to join in the Japanese Language and Customs class on Thursdays at 1:30 p.m.

Although we pride ourselves on being an art community, we have no supplier of art materials close by. We are saddened to report that Michael’s is not coming to Meridian as previously planned. Do your part and e-mail the Hobby Lobby (or Michael’s) organization and request they open a branch here.

We have no store in Meridian that sells art supplies. Can you imagine that? Fabric is available here on a limited basis, our quilters drive to DeKalb. Help keep art alive in Meridian.

Prices for classes at the center have remained the same for years. If you live in Meridian and are over 55 years of age, you only pay $10 for eight weeks of classes. Outside the city limits, $12.50. Sorry all you younger people, the fee is only double that amount for you.

For more information, call the center at (601) 485-1812. You may also e-mail us at MdnActCtr@yahoo.com. Or, drop by the center for a quick tour at 3300 32nd Ave. — the best approach is from 29th Avenue and 36th Street west.



• Barbara Wells is director of Meridian Activity Center. You mail e-mail her at

MdnActCtr@yahoo.com

        

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