PressSplit
Looking back on a successful time: At the Schwabenakademie in Irsee, Markwart Herzog and Sylvia Heudecker carried out valuable educational work for the entire region over many years. © Wischhöfer
Sylvia Heudecker and Markwart Herzog left the Schwabenakademie Irsee this fall. Reason for the Kreisbote to give the floor to two people who have broken new ground with the Swabian Academy.
Irsee – The Schwabenakademie Irsee is one of the leading players in cultural and artistic education in southern Germany. The conception and organization of their educational work follow the motto “Enjoy education”. The facility stands for quality, reliability and service. Based on a humanistic view of humanity, she develops her program every six months. The academy events appeal to people who are interested in culture and education, as well as creative and health-conscious people.
But that wasn’t always the case: When Herzog was selected in 1997 by the then district council president Georg Simnacher from 500 applicants as a scientific education officer, the academy’s focus was more on the area of historical sciences. Together with the then director Rainer Jehl, the “Irseer Dialogues” and the “Philipp Hainhofer Colloquien” series of events were created.
As a football-loving sports and cultural historian, Herzog set up sports history conferences that also dealt with the culture of football. Topic among others: “Athletes of Jewish origin in southern Germany”. During this time, Herzog also researched the archives of FC Bayern Munich and found evidence that questioned the club’s official representation regarding cooperation with the National Socialists.
“It was a difficult time for me, during which my dismissal by the Swabian government was also on the table,” reports Markwart Herzog with a serious expression on his face. Only subsequent research by the Süddeutsche Zeitung and Spiegel confirmed that the historian had done his work correctly and confirmed his results.
Turning point 2009
In December 2009, director Rainer Jehl retired and Herzog took over the management of the Swabian Academy from then on. At the same time, Sylvia Heudecker, who holds a doctorate in literature, moved to the Schwabenakademie in Irsee as head of studies and deputy director. As a member of the Bavarian Adult Education Association, the vhs Academy also fulfills adult education tasks.
Sylvia Heudecker brought stories to the Allgäu. And the people who told them, too. She was the project manager of the Allgäu Literature Festival, which has offered reading enthusiasts the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of literature once a year since 2016.
Active participants in reaching people in the region were the Swabia district, the municipal cultural offices, Allgäu GmbH and art and culture groups.
Authors such as Jan Hegenberg, Tobias Schuhwerk, Amelie Fried and many more came to Allgäu during the festival and read in special places. A crime novel was read in a courtroom and the 100-year-old brickworks in Erkheim was also the setting for a reading.
“For me, literature,” says Sylvia Heudecker, “stands primarily for stories that someone tells me who wants to grab me.” Good literature knows how to address the reader. She is accessible in language and manages to take the readers with her, telling them: “Come on, what I’m telling you is great.” Because it enables a look into other worlds and realities of life and helps to expand one’s own horizon to expand, adds Heudecker.
Looking ahead
After so much time of creative and very successful collaboration, Markwart Herzog and Sylvia Heudecker look to the future with confidence, despite an inglorious end at the Swabian Academy. With a mischievous smile, Herzog says: “Now I can do all the work that I previously only did on weekends within my weekly working hours.” Sylvia Heudecker moved to Schleswig-Holstein to the Geesthacht town hall – as head of the department for education, family, sport and culture.
