Bürstadt.The thick folder – packed full of songs and poems – lies open on the table. “This is our program for the Styrian evening,” says Gabi Winkler – and shrugs her shoulders with a small sigh. Actually, she wanted to perform the songs with her husband Gregor that she is so familiar with from her Austrian homeland. The date in the Bürstadt Advent calendar was already firmly planned. In the year of the corona pandemic, everything is different. But one thing is certain: people will definitely sing under the Christmas tree.
Gregor and Gabi Winkler are the first and so far only married couple from the twin cities of Krieglach and Bürstadt. And probably the only two strollers far and wide who sing Christmas carols in two voices when they are out and about with their eight-month-old grandchild Rosa. “She then listens very carefully and takes care,” says the enthusiastic grandma happily.
Music plays an important role in the lives of the two Winklers. And also brought them together. The couple have taken a seat at one end of the large dining table in the living room, the visit from “Südhessen Morgen” on the other – in the pandemic, a generous distance is the order of the day. Luckily, a leisurely chat is still possible.
Gregor Winkler has no hesitation in knowing when he saw Gabi for the first time: on July 14, 1979. “I went to Krieglach with the church music,” he reports. There was a four-day celebration there, and Bürstadt was invited as a twin town. “The music was so great, I really wanted to dance”, reports the native Austrian. Only there was nobody suitable in sight – until she discovered Gregor. Glances were exchanged, then danced. “First Disco Fox. But with us you dance polka to music like that. ”So she took the lead. And her new partner willingly accepted it. Two years later they got married.
Valuable friendships
Back then a town twinning had a completely different status, reports Gregor Winkler. It took eight hours from Bürstadt to Krieglach. And a trip with the club is almost like a school trip, fun, relaxed – and, above all, inexpensive. “Nobody slept in the hotel, we were always housed privately,” recalls Winkler. “This has resulted in many good friendships.”
The two will be married for 40 years next year. “I’ve been here that long,” says Gabi Winkler with a smile. There is, however, no sign of an Austrian tongue. “Don’t worry if she talks to her sister on the phone,” laughs her husband. “She is a real simultaneous translator.”
That was also well received at the Carnival, for which the Bürstädter from Krieglach – barely arrived – was immediately enthusiastic. “I have a lot of fun standing and dancing in the Bütt.” She quickly feels at home in the Emotion choir, and she and her husband take part in many weddings and family celebrations as a singing duo. The harmony with husband Gregor fits right from the start: he has been playing the clarinet in church music for 47 years, and he has been playing the keyboard in a swing band for 30 years.
Sure, Bürstadt also has a beautiful musical tradition, and church music is committed to promoting young talent and provides free loan instruments, praises Gregor Winkler. “But in Krieglach, brass music has a completely different status.” There are great musicians and a “very, very good music school” there. The two are good friends with the director. “He is a real visionary and on the road with the orchestra all over the world.” A music school in Bürstadt is still missing. “We always drove our two sons to Lampertheim. That was time-consuming and expensive, ”recalls Gabi Winkler. The guys now play in their own bands. “Fortunately, they still have their original job,” the parents are relieved. Appearances are currently not possible in the pandemic. Just like playing the guitar in the St. Elisabeth dementia ward. “The situation is worst for older people, many feel all alone,” Gabi Winkler is certain.
Neighbors provide the impetus
Despite all the adversities, she and her husband seem in a good mood. They simply postpone the Styrian evening to the next Advent. The neighbors initiated the premiere last year. In a large group we organized, cooked and laughed together. Gregor Winkler rewrote the four-part notation of the pieces for two voices. “There were 150 visitors”, Gabi Winkler is still a little amazed.
She leafed through the folder with the songs a little wistfully. “Es wird scho glei dumpa” – she especially likes that – has just opened, recorded in the most beautiful Krieglach dialect. But there is still time for that on Christmas Eve.
© Südhessen Tomorrow, Thursday, December 24th, 2020
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