Paris To Berlin (1885-1887) PDF

PARIS TO BERLIN (1885-1887) After completing his studies in Madrid, Rizal went to Paris and Germany to specialize in ophthalmology. He particularly chose this branch of medicine because he wanted to cure his mother’s ailment. He served as an assistant to the famous oculist of Europe. In Berli...

PARIS TO BERLIN (1885-1887) After completing his studies in Madrid, Rizal went to Paris and Germany to specialize in ophthalmology. He particularly chose this branch of medicine because he wanted to cure his mother’s ailment. He served as an assistant to the famous oculist of Europe. In Berlin, capital of then unified Germany, he met and befriended several top German scientist, Dr. Feodor Jagor, Dr. Adolph B. Meyer, Dr. Hans Meyer, and Rudolf Virchow. His merits as a scientist were recognized by eminent scientists of Europe. In Gay Paris (1885-86) Maximo Viola A medical student from San Miguel, Bulacan. Señor Eusebio Corominas The editor in chief of the newspaper La Publicidad. Don Miguel Morayta The owner of La Publicidad. November 1885 Rizal was living in Paris, where hw sojourned for about four months. Dr. Louis de Weckert (1852-1906) Leading French ophthalmologist where Rizal worked as an assistant. Outside of his working hours, Rizal relaxed by visiting his friends, such as the family of the Pardo de Taveras (Trinidad, Felix and Paz), Juan Luna and Felix Resureccion Hidalgo. Juan Luna The great master of brush; Rizal helped him by posing as model in several paintings. 1. “The Death of Cleopatra” Rizal posed as an Egyptian priest. 2. “The Blood Compact” He posed as Sikatuna.  Rizal as Musician Rizal has no natural aptitude for music, and this he admitted. He only studied music because many of his schoolmates at Ateneo were taking music lessons. In a letter dated November 27, 1878, he told Enrique Lete that he “learned the solfeggio, piano and voice culture in one month and a half”. He was flutist in various impromptu reunions of Filipinos in Paris. Some of his compositions are: 1. “Aling mang Lahi” (Any Race) 2. “La Deportacion” (Deportation) In Historic Heidelberg February 1, 1886 - Rizal left gay Paris for Germany. February 3, 1886 - He arrived in Heidelberg. Rizal was a good chess player, so the students in University of Heidelberg made him a member of the Chess Player’s Club. Dr. Otto Becker - a distinguished German ophthalmologist. He worked at the University of Eye Hospital. “To the Flowers of Heidelberg” In the spring of 1886, Rizal was fascinated by the blooming flowers along the cool banks of the Neckar River. His favorite flower – the light blue “forget-me-not”. On April 22, 1886, he wrote a fine poem. “A Las Flores de Heidelberg” With Pastor Ulmer at Wilhelmsfeld Rizal spent three-months in Wilhelmsfeld, a mountainous village near Heidelberg. Dr. Karl Ulmer – a kind Protestant pastor. First Letter to Blumentritt July 31, 1886 Rizal wrote his first letter in German to Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt, Director of the Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Austria. Rizal sent the book entitled Aritmetica. Blumentritt, the Austrian, became the best friend of Rizal, the Filipino. In Leipzig and Dresden August 9, 1886 - he boarded a train, visited various cities of Germany. August 14, 1886 - he arrived in Leipzig. He attended some lectures at the University of Leipzig on History and Psychology. Professor Friedrich Ratzel - a famous German historian. Dr. Hans Meyer - German anthropologist. In Leipzig He stayed two months and a half in this German city. Rizal translated Schiller’s William Tell from German into Filipino. He also translated Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales. He worked as proof-reader in a publisher’s firm. October 29 He left Leipzig for Dresden. He met Dr. Adolph B. Meyer, Director of the Anthropological and Ethnological Museum. Rizal Welcomed in Berlin’s Scientific Circles Rizal was enchanted by Berlin because of its scientific atmosphere and the absence of race prejudice. Dr. Feodor Jagor – German scientist traveller and author of Travels in the Philippines. Dr. Rudolf Virchow - famous German anthropologist. Dr. W. Joest – German geographer. Dr. Karl Ernest Schweigger – famous ophthalmologist. Rizal became a member of the Anthropological Society, the Ethnological Society and the Geographical Society in Berlin. Rizal’s Life in Berlin He live in the famous capital of unified Germany for five reasons: 1. To gain further knowledge of ophthalmology. 2. To further his studies of sciences and languages. 3. To observe the economic had political conditions od the German nations. 4. To associate with famous German scientist and scholars. 5. To publish his novel, Noli Me Tangere. He took private lessons under Madame Lucie Cerdole, professor of French. Rizal on German Women Rizal wrote a letter addressed to her sister, Trinidad, expressing his high regard and admiration for German womanhood. ✣ The German ✣ The Spanish ✣ The Filipino Women Women Women 1. Serious 1. Gossipy 1. More interested 2. Frivolous in how the 2. Diligent dressed than how 3. Educated 3. Quarrelsome much they know. 4. Friendly 2. Fine manners 3. Devotion 4. Hospitality German Customs He was delighted of the Germans’ Yuletide custom. - people take pine trees from the bushes and adorned it with lanterns, paper, lights, dolls, candies and fruits. Self-introduction to strangers in a social gatherings. - according to German code of etiquette, it is bad manners for a guest to remain aloof, and wait for his host to make the proper introduction. Rizal’s Darkest Winter The winter of 1886 was his darkest winter. He lived in poverty. Rizal starved in Berlin and shivered with wintry cold.