Vegetarianism in Germany

1. Vegetarianism in Germany German Culture Project By Annie Camara (Anja) (everything you need to know about)

2. vegetarian what does it mean? a person who does not eat or does not believe in eating meat, fish, fowl, or, in some cases*, any food derived from animals, as eggs or cheese, but subsists on vegetables, fruits, nuts, grain, etc. *in those cases, the person is called vegan, and also doesn’t use (or condones the use) of leather and fur.

3. history of vegetarianism in Germany • In 1867, Eduard Baltzer from Liepzig founded the Deutsche Vereinfür natürliche Lebensweise (German Natural Living Society). One year later, Gustav von Struve founded the Stuttgart Vegetarian Society, which expanded 10 years later to become Southern Germany’s Vegetarian Association. • Between 1877 and 1908, the International Vegetarian Union was founded and their first international meeting was held in Dresden. • In 1913, the first Women’s Vegetarian Society (Verein Vegetarischer Frauen) was founded by Martha Förster.

4. Germany’s current vegetarian societies Currently, there are a number of vegetarian societies in Germany. • Welt Vegan Tag (web-based) • Vegetarier-Bund Deutschlands (based out of Hannover) • Vegetarische Initiative e.V.

5. history of vegetarianism in Germany (continued) • The International Vegetarian Union held more meetings in the next couple of decades, until 1935 when independent societies were made illegal and were forced to either join the Nazi Living Reform Movement or close. The members of the Deutcher Vegetarier-Bund conducted a ballot of their members and they voted to close. On February 18, 1935 the Bund (federation) was dissolved. • In 1945 the Vegetarians re-established themselves and, after various reorganizations and name changes, became the Vegetarier-Bund Deutschlands (Vegetarian Federation of Germany) in 1985. This was to become a vegetarian federation for the entire country.

6. Famous German Vegetarians • Albert Einstein • Albert Schweitzer • Martin Luther • Nina Hagen • Adolph Hitler • Arthur Schopenhauer • Farin Urlaub • Alexander Dargatz

7. Albert Einstein • Albert Einstein was indeed a vegetarian, although not for a significant amount of time • About three years before his death, he wrote the following in a letter to his friend:"I have always eaten animal flesh with a somewhat guilty conscience.” • One year later, in a letter to the same friend, he wrote "So I am living without fats, without meat, without fish, but am feeling quite well this way. It always seems to me that man was not born to be a carnivore."

8. Albert Schweitzer • Albert Schweitzer was a strict vegetarian and animal lover. • He was a German theologian, musician, philosopher and physician. • It is obvious in the musings of people who were around him for prolonged periods of time that Schweitzer was compassionate towards animals and people. • James Camerson wrote: "The Doctor eats only fruits and vegetables - but considerably great quantities of mango, avocado, and soya bean, and above all, a specially huge species of boiled banana. The Doctor has no illusions about modern civilization and that is why he advocates a new one built upon Reverence of Life. He believes that modern civilization with its atomic bombs is based wrongfully on destruction of life."

9. Martin Luther • Martin Luther is said to have been a vegetarian. • He was a German theologian, Augustinian monk, and an important ecclesiastical reformer.

10. Nina Hagen • Nina Hagen is a well-known German punk-rock singer and musician from Berlin • She and her daughter are vegetarian.

11. Adolf Hitler… …was he really vegetarian? • Adolf Hitler is said to have been a vegetarian, but not for any long period of time. • At 22 years old, he first tried being vegetarian in an attempt to cure a stomach ailment. In a 1911 letter, he wrote .. It was nothing but a small stomach upset and I am trying to cure myself through a diet of fruits and vegetables. • Hitler’s secretary in 1942 reported that he always avoided meat, but Author Rynn Berry maintains that he was in no way an ethical vegetarian. Although he did reduce his meat intake, it’s never been proven that he stopped eating it completely for any significant length of time.

12. Arthur Schopenhauer • Arthur Schopenhauer was a German philosopher. • He was vegetarian, but not many people were aware of it. • He urged that, ethically, we should all become vegetarians.

13. Farin Urlaub • Farin Urlaub is best known as being the guitarist/lead singer of the German punk band Die Ärzte. He is a vegetarian and is said to be active in the animals right community.

14. Alexander Dargatz • Alexander Dargatz is a German body-builder who won the World Champion Body Builder title in 2005 • Alexander is vegan and contributes his body-building success to his diet • He has been a vegetarian for for five years, having become one overnight in 2000.

15. Vegetarian German Cuisine • Asparagus, especially white asparagus known as Weißspargel, is popular in Germany, as a side dish or main course. Restaurants will even devote an entire menu to nothing but Spargel, when it is the right season. Spargel season is traditionally set to the month before St. John's Day (June 24th).

16. Vegetarian German Cuisine • Frühstück was always included at the hotels where we stayed, • but it was only partially vegetarian friendly. • “Most German Frühstück buffets include bacon, sausage, • eggs, cereals, fruit, cheeses, yogurt, juice, coffee, tea, bread • and fish.” • Thankfully for vegetarians and vegans alike, the bread, cereals and fruit • are more than enough to tide us over until lunch.

17. Vegetarian German Cuisine • Vegetables are usually served in the form of vegetable soups or stews. Cabbage, carrots, spinach, turnips, peas, beans, are very common. Fried onions are a common addition to many meat dishes throughout the country, and potatoes, while a major part of the diet, are usually not counted among vegetables by Germans.

18. Personal Vegetarian Experience in Germany • Difficult without research on vegetarian food prior to visiting • Most of our time was spent in Bavaria (the largest state, in the Southeast of Germany), which, unfortunately, is not very vegetarian friendly • I made some exceptions when I was starving, such as eating Spätzle (a type of egg pasta) • For two weeks, my fellow travelers’ diet consisted of the following: A house salad consisting of radicchio, spinach, carrots and cucumber.

19. German Veggie Resources • Website with German vegetarian restaurant information - http://www.v-label.info/ • Gasthaus Schillinger - Completely vegetarian restaurant in Großmugl, Austria • European Vegetarian Union website - http://www.euroveg.eu/

20. Works Cited • Wikipedia.org • IVU.org - International Vegetarian Union • euroveg.eu - Europäische Vegetarier Union • buzzle.com • godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/news/163/vg2.htm