Hermann Schmidt Stone

Who was this Hermann Schmidt, whose name is etched on this stone? Meet Hermann Schmidt, the tireless champion of the Sylter Frisian language. He was born in Braderup in 1901. Like his great role model, Christian Peter Hansen, Hermann dreamt of being a captain. Unfortunately, health issues prevented this, leading him to become a teacher. He taught in Wyk auf Föhr and later at various schools on Sylt, including Westerland and Tinnum. He finally became the headmaster in Wenningstedt. His health suffered after the war, and he retired in 1958. But his true calling wasn’t in the classroom. It was in preserving the Frisian language, a language he saw fading under outside influence. This Hermann Schmidt Stone serves as a reminder of his dedication. For decades, Schmidt edited “Fuar Sölering Lir,” a newspaper supplement entirely in Sylter Frisian. He penned countless poems and songs, delved into the history of Frisian literature, and compiled a Frisian-German/German-Frisian dictionary. He even translated German works into Sölring, including Theodor Storm’s “The Rider on the White Horse”. The Hermann Schmidt Stone stands as a testament to his life’s work. He was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit, became an honorary member of the North Frisian Association and the North Frisian Institute, and received the C.-P.-Hansen-Prize in 1961. The inscription on the stone, a poem by Schmidt himself, serves as a poignant reminder of his philosophy. It translates to: “Remember this, man, don’t forget it: Every hour in life has its purpose! And you can’t hold on to a minute; but don’t waste time, how fast it is over!” The Hermann Schmidt Stone isn’t just a stone. It’s a tribute to a man who dedicated his life to preserving a unique language and culture.