Literature: Books of Albert Schweitzer
concerning medicine in the African rain forest
Medical reports from Africa:
1)
On the edge of the primeval forest
(orig. German: Zwischen Wasser und Urwald (Edition Haupt,
Berne 1921 - Spanish: Entre el agua y la selva virgen)
2)
Letters from Lambarene 1924-1927 (orig.
German: Briefe aus Lambarene 1924-1927)
3)
Out of My Life & Thought (orig.
German: Aus meinem Leben und Denken 1931 - Spanish: Mi
vida y pensamientos)
Movie of the Albert Schweitzer Institute 2005, Quinnipiac
University (44'15'').
Movie summary (2006):
https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2006-10-05-0610050384-story.html
Film protocol (translation):
Albert Schweitzer: "My life is my argument" - A production
of The Albert Schweitzer Institute at Quinnipiac
University (6 '') - President Carter (in his "Carter
Center") raves about Albert Schweitzer, Schweitzer has set
a key idea in the world, "global humanity" (16 ") and
Schweitzer did it all in a separate village (19"). Albert
Schweitzer was a strong and inspiring role model for many
people, who then followed his footsteps ("who had followed
his foodsteps") (30 '').
Gabon, a canoe with Albert Schweitzer on the river
Ogooué (Ogowe) [1] - Jimmy Carter raves about Albert
Schweitzer because of his global humanity [2] -
Hospital village of Lambarene, a patient is carried on a
wooden stretcher [3]
Film title: Albert Schweitzer: "My life is my argument"
(35 '').
The daughter of Schweitzer: "Albert Schweitzer has often
said that my hospital is my improvisation (41 ''). But for
him the most important thing was his contribution as a
philosopher with the principle of "respect for life", that
was the basis of his philosophy ( 55 '')." - Speaker: At
the age of 30, Albert Schweitzer was active in four
fields, as a Jesus fantasy theologian, as a philosopher,
as a musician, and as an author (1'4 ''). Albert
Schweitzer seemed destined to have a great and bright
future as a teacher and stage figure (1'8 '').
Film title: My Life is my Argument [4] - Film title with
portrait of Albert Schweitzer [5] - Albert Schweitzer,
portrait 1940 approx. [6]
But Albert Schweitzer himself had other projects: He
shocked his family and friends [when he was 30 years old]
and became a student again [to study medicine and] to then
serve the sick and poor, 1000 miles away in the jungle (
1'31 ''). Schweitzer was to devote the next 50 years to
his hospital village, on an arm of the great Ogooué river
in French Equatorial Africa (1'43 ''). Albert Schweitzer
knew that he was doing pioneering work that would make him
world-famous (1'59 '').
Quotation of Albert Schweitzer who wrote in his diary:
"Some have called me a man of action, but in fact I am a
dreamer." (2'5 '').
Born January 14, 1875 in Kaisersberg - moving to
Gunsbach (Günsbach) in 1876
Albert Schweitzer was born on January 14, 1875 in
Kaisersberg in Alsace, which then was part of Germany
(2'17 ''). Father Louis Schweitzer was a Protestant Jesus
Fantasy pastor in the predominantly Catholic city (2'25
''). He preached in a small chapel not far from the
rectory (2'31 ''). In 1876 the Schweitzer family moved to
the village of Gunsbach in the Münstertal, 40 miles south,
so most of the Catholic AND Protestant Jesus Fantasy
believers came to Louis Schweitzer's church (2'47 '').
Albert Schweizer thought it was nice that Jesus Fantasy
Catholics and Jesus Fantasy Protestants had their services
in the same building (2'57 '').
Kaisersberg in Alsace, the house where Albert Schweitzer
was born [11] - Map of France with Alsace [12] -
Louis Schweitzer, the father of Albert Schweitzer, a
Jesus Fantasy Pastor [13]
The school days were not so great for Albert Schweitzer,
did not have such great performances, his mother was
endlessly worried about the low school grades (3'19 '').
In addition, Albert Schweitzer was teased by schoolmates
because he was the son of a rich man, and compared to the
poverty in the village that was even true (3'29 '').
Albert Schweitzer also made symbolic actions as a child
and refused to put on a coat in winter because other boys
didn't have a coat (3'37 ''). Albert Schweitzer developed
a sense of justice as a child, which he then extended to
nature (3'43 '').
The key experience: Church bells block a slingshot:
"You shouldn't kill" - "Reverence for life"
When another boy invited him to hunt birds with
slingshots, Albert Schweitzer found himself in an awkward
position: should he please his friend and also kill birds,
or should he protect the birds? Then a church bell rang
and Albert knew he would never shoot stones at birds, but
instead drove the birds away with swinging arms so that no
one could shoot them anymore (4'18 ''). Albert Schweitzer
remembers all his life the church bells that gave him the
signal: "You shouldn't kill." This moment engraved itself
deeply in his heart (4'32 '') - and since then Schweitzer
has gone his own way, and other warlike voices were of no
value to him (4'49 ''). The childhood was determined by
this great experience "You shall not kill", this also
counts for torture (5'1 '').
Later, this event led to the attitude of "awe of life"
(5'8 ''). With that he stood up for the oppressed and for
the whole creation (5'14 '').
Albert Schweitzer's philosophy principle: "Reverence for
life" [20]
The inspiration for Africa also came from childhood. His
mother was an ambitious newspaper reader, and details
about the slave trade and other horrors about the Congo
[then French] were also known in Günsbach (5'31 '').
Photos: Black people in chains, black people with chopped
off hands (5'31 ''). Perhaps that is why Albert Schweitzer
was so fascinated by a monument that depicted an African
man (5'37 ''), which was in Colmar, where his grandparents
lived, the statue was made by Mr. Frederic August
Bartholdi, an Alsatian sculptor, who also did the "Statue
of Liberty" in New York (5'50 ''). Schweitzer thought this
African statue was so great.
Albert Schweitzer's mother, portrait [21] - French
Colonial Africa: executioners have hands in their hands
[22] -
French Colonial Africa: Blacks without a right hand [23]
Schweitzer quote (translation): "The face with a sad,
thoughtful expression expressed the misery in Africa."
(6'7 '') - Years later Albert Schweitzer was writing:
"Since then, the distant lands of the world have been
discovered, but how did the whites behave to the colored
people there? (6'18 '') - Even complete peoples have been
extinct when they were discovered by the whites, who even
claimed that they were believers in a fantasy Jesus (6'30
''). Who can describe these injustices and brutalities
that they suffered from the Europeans? (6 ' 36 '') - We
and our civilization have a burden, it's really a big
debt. " (6'43 '')
Albert Schweitzer: piano and organ - he also becomes a
Bach works editor and interpreter on the organ
Albert Schweitzer was also a musician, that was a
constant, great joy (6'50 ''). His grandfather was already
famous for his organ improvisations (6'59 ''). Albert
Schweitzer inherited this talent (7'3 ''). At 5 he already
played the piano, but in the end it was the organ in
Gunsbach that fascinated him (7'11 ''). The 9-year-old
Albert Schweitzer then stood in for the organist in the
church service when the organist was sick, and everything
was flawless (7'24 ''). As a teenager he took music
lessons in a town near Mulhouse, and at the age of 16 he
played the large organ of the Jesus Fantasy Church St.
Stephan in Mulhouse (7'45 ''). Alber Schweitzer's favorite
composer was Johann Sebastian Bach (7'53 ''). With 30,
Albert Schweitzer had a masterly reputation as editor and
Bach interpreter (8'0 ''). Albert Schweitzer also studied
organ building. After the organ in Günsbach was damaged by
the 1st World War - then also by the 2nd World War, the
organ was restored by Albert Schweitzer (8'14 '').
The organ in the Jesus Fantasy Church in Gunsbach /
Günsbach in Alsace [29] - Organ play on the organ in
Gunsbach, 2 manuals [30]
Organ play by Albert Schweitzer on the large organ in
the Jesus Fantasy Church of St. Stephan in Mulhouse in
Alsace [31]
Everyone knew that Albert Schweitzer was preparing for two
careers, music and Jesus Fantasy Church (8'23 ''). In 1893
Albert Schweitzer then enrolled at the University of
Strasbourg, where his father had already studied (8'35
''). For the next 7 years, Albert Schweitzer studied organ
in Paris (8'41 ''), philosophy at the Sorbonne University
(8'43 ''), and Jesus Fantasy Theology in Berlin (8'47 '').
By 1900, Alber Schweitzer had THREE university degrees,
two in Jesus Fantasy Theology, and a doctorate in
philosophy (8'57 ''). In 1901 he completed the Jesus
Fantasy Theology with a study of the Jesus Fantasy Last
Supper (9'4 ''). This research was published in 1906 by
Albert Schweitzer as a book: The quest of the historical
Jesus (9'12 ''). Albert Schweitzer became very well known
in academic and musical circles as a man with vision,
energy and determination (9'23 '').
Albert Schweitzer tuning an organ
But he was also a practitioner: When Albert Schweitzer
once missed a lunch dinner in his honor before a concert,
the organizer went on a search and found Albert Schweitzer
controlling and refurbishing the neglected organ. He was
busy with the organ for 6 hours and at the concert all
sounded more brilliant than ever before (9'55 ''). In the
mid-20s Albert Schweitzer was ordained a Jesus Fantasy
Lutheran minister, he became a university professor, and
he was elected to the board of directors of the
Theological Jesus Fantasy Gymnasium to St. Thomas (St.
Thomas Theological College) (10'12 ''). Albert
Schweitzer's successes were not enough. At the beginning
of his studies at the age of 21, he gave himself an
ultimatum: he wanted to study music, Jesus Fantasy
Theology and philosophy until he was 30, and after that he
only wanted to serve humanity (10'39 ''). So he wanted to
repay the gifts he had received, and for him this was the
only way (10'46 ''). Life, love, friendship, good health,
and education (10'52 '').
Helene Bresslau - correspondence for 10 years - the
"bigger task" is yet to come
The only person he trusted was Helene Breslau, a
professor's daughter who had freed herself from her Jewish
family and worked as a social worker and teacher (11'8
''). The friendship lasted 10 years with correspondence,
where no one else had insight, so hopes and dreams were
exchanged there (11'21 ''). Albert Schweitzer to Helene,
quote: "I think there will be a bigger task for me, too,
where I will need you. Then I will simply ask you if you
would like to work with me (11'29 ''). Perhaps this is a
providence that has determined us for a common goal (11'35
'')."
Helene Bresslau [39] - Helene Bresslau, portrait [40]
In the autumn of 1904, the Evangelic Jesus Fantasy
Missionary Association (German: "Evangelische
Missionsgesellschaft") published an advertisement where
doctors for French Equatorial Africa were wanted, and
Albert Schweitzer wanted to go there (11'53 ''). But he
had to become a doctor first (11'57 ''). Now the whole
family was shocked that Albert Schweitzer wanted to become
a missionary medical doctor in Africa, but Helene was not
surprised, she was not shocked (12'9 ''). Around his
crucial 30th birthday, Albert Schweitzer declared In a
Jesus Fantasy sermon in St. Nikolai Jesus Fantasy Church:
"We must repent for all the terrible crimes reported in
the newspapers (12 ' 24 ''). We must repent even for the
most terrible crimes that we don't read about in the
newspapers, crimes that are kept unhearable in the quiet
of the jungle nights. " (12'33 '') - Speaker: But teaching
about it was more than to atone (12'42 '').
Evangelical missionary journal from Paris looks for a
medical doctor for Africa 1904 [41] - Albert Schweitzer,
student photo at the age of 30 [42] -
French colonial Africa: slavery with slave market with
black people in chains [43]
Schweitzer said to his friend "American" journalist Norman
Cousins: "I now decided that my life would be my argument
(that I would make my life my argument) (12'53 ''). I
would set my own standards and I would live for that what
I am living for (12'59 "). Albert Schweitzer studied
medicine for the next 8 years, wrote books and was working
on some posts (13'5").
Albert Schweitzer portrait approx. 30 years old [44] -
Medicine books by Albert Schweitzer [45]
Marriage between Albert Schweitzer and Helene Bresslau
[46]
On June 18, 1912, the marriage with Helene took place
(13'12''). She was trained as a nurse, and he was soon to
graduate in tropical medicine and surgery (13'19 '').
1912-1913: The French Mission Society rejects Albert
Schweitzer - collections for money - traveling as a
doctor to Lambarene
Now he was 40 years old and had only studied for the first
half of his life. Now he wanted to go to Africa and wrote
the Paris Mission Society a job application for the
African Jesus Fantasy Mission Station in Lambarene (13'32
''). It was completely rejected because he was too
controversial to be sponsored as a Jesus Fantasy
Theologian (13'42 '').
If the mission society didn't give one single franc, then
Albert and Helene said they could bring in the money for
their own hospital themselves (13'53 ''). They went on
advertising trips, got money from friends in France and
Germany (14'2 ''). In the next February Albert Schweitzer
again sent a job application to the French Mission
Society, with a better offer, a deal with awe (14'10 '').
Albert Schweitzer's daughter Rhena Schweitzer Miller
explains: "The French Mission Society had views that were
very different from those of Albert Schweitzer, they were
Jesus Fantasy Fundamentalists there, but he was a very
liberal Jesus Fantasy theologian (14 ' 28 ''). Then
Schweitzer made the mission society an offer to "keep
silent like a fish" about theology and he would only work
as a doctor (14'38 '')."
Finally the trip was prepared. First station was the port
of Gentil, from there to Lambarene (14'45 ''). Quote
Albert Schweitzer: "From Bordeaux we went to Lambarene, 3
weeks trip almost always along the African coast: The
Pepper Coast, the Ivory Coast, the Gold Coast, the Slave
Coast (15'5"). These coasts were full of crimes. The slave
traders used the land and shipped their living cargo to
"America" (15'19 "). [The shipowners were mostly Dutch,
and the slaves were partly sold to the slave traders by
their own families - and on the slave ships the death toll
was up to 50% and the sharks got the dead bodies following
the rear of the ship. Racism of the white bosses was
incredible brute, all this has got no compensation until
today].
Daughter Rhena Schweitzer Miller [50] - The travel stamp
to Gabon Lambarene via Port Gentil [51]
Map of Africa with the Ivory Coast, Gold Coast and Slave
Coast [52]
Speaker: The last ship to take was a river steamer for the
200km up the Ogooué river. Albert Schweitzer was prepared
for the fact that the poetry about Africa did not quite
correspond to the reality (15'37 ''). The hospital in
Lambarene only had patients, no buildings (15'42 ''). They
had medicines with them, but no large equipment yet. They
saw the misery [being dressed always in white colonialist
clothes to defend themselves from the tsetse flies] (15'48
''). African drummers spread the message from village to
village through the whole jungle that an "O Ganga"
[medicine man] had arrived, but first they have to wait
for the next ship with the equipment, so the people should
not come yet (16'7 '').
![Albert und
Helene Schweitzer in Lambarene im weissen
Kolonialistendress 1913 [um die Tsetsefliege mit der
Schlafkrankheit abzuwehren]](../d/002-Leben-ist-argument-d/059-Albert+Helene-Schweitzer-in-Lambarene-im-weissen-kolonialistendress1913.jpg "Albert und Helene Schweitzer in Lambarene im
weissen Kolonialistendress 1913 [um die Tsetsefliege
mit der Schlafkrankheit abzuwehren]")
A bifurcation of the Ogooué river near Lambarene [57] -
Albert and Helene Schweitzer in Lambarene 1913 [58]
Albert and Helene Schweitzer in Lambarene in the white
colonialist dress 1913 [as a protection from the tsetse
fly with sleeping sickness] [59]
The first building of the hospital was an old, spruced up
chicken house which was converted into an office and
surgery room (16'15 ''). Weeks later, the steamship Alembe
came with the furnishings of the surgery operating room
and with a piano - that was a gift from the Bach Society
of Paris (16'23 '').
Then 100s of the natives came with their canoes or walking
through the jungle to ask the white doctor for help (16'31
''). It was an arduous task. The patients came from
different tribes, spoke different languages and dialects,
and there were native customs, superstitions and rivalries
(16'45 ''). Sick people who came from far away came with
family members and stayed for weeks until the patients
were cured, and during this time they had to be
accommodated and cared for (16'59 '').
Lambarene, a line of patients with Albert Schweitzer in
1913 [63] - Lambarene, transport on a stretcher [64] -
Lambarene, relatives of patients [65]
The diseases to be treated were different. There was
sleeping sickness, malaria, dysentery (permanent diarrhea
from inflamed colon), leprosy, hernias (torn peritoneum),
bronchitis, pneumonia, heart diseases, mental illnesses,
sexually transmitted diseases, elephantiasis (17'15 '').
Albert Schweitzer [with his training in Alsace and Paris]
threw her African medicine overboard, there was neither
running water nor electricity. Operations and
administrative work etc. were carried out either in
daylight or with a kerosene lamp (17'27 '').
[Helene Schweitzer organized the food, the
hospital laundry, the bandages, etc. Later other staff
from Europe came to help].
1914-1918: First World War: arrest and questions
Then First World War came. On August 5, 1914, Albert +
Helene, who had German passports, were arrested by French
colonial troops and placed under house arrest, but after
hundreds of protests by patients and their family members,
they were soon released to continue treating the sick
(17'59 ''). Albert Schweitzer notes clear questions of the
blacks against the whites: Quote: "Many natives ask
themselves how it is possible that the whites who sing
love songs gospels now kill each other and thereby throw
the commandments of the Fantasy Jesus overboard ( 18'14
"). If they ask this, we are just helpless (18'18").
Meanwhile, the medical work continues as usual. The
question constantly arises of how one can care for all the
sick (18 ' 26 '')."
Lambarene 1914, the French colonial army puts Albert
Schweitzer under house arrest because he has a German
passport [71] -
Lambarene, Albert Schweitzer 1914, photo 1 [72] - photo
2 [73]
Altogether Albert Schweitzer was arrested twice, which
gave him new time for new ideas to write two books on the
philosophy of civilization (18'35 ''). He created a new
ethics system for a more just and passionate civilization
(18'43 ''). One day he took his work with him when he was
healing a sick missionary (18'53 ''). Albert Schweitzer
quote: "It was dry season [low water] and we had to find
our way through large sandbanks (18'58 ''). That was the
inspiration for a new book, to find the way for a new
civilization, with more morals and energy, as the present
civilization (19'14 "). Sentence by sentence came
together, and so the center of consciousness was created
(19'22"). On the third day of the journey at sunset, at
the village of Ganga, we were passing a river island, and
on a sandbank to our left were four hippos, also with
cubs, they swam with our direction (19'43 "). In this
phase the term "awe of life" came up like a flash of
inspiration (19'52 ''). That was the solution to the
problem that had tormented me so much." (20'1 '')
Lambarene, Albert Schweitzer does philosophy on a canoe
1914 [74] - Gabon, the village of Ganga on the Ogooué
river [75]
Gabon, hippos in the river Ogooué (Ogowe) [76]
Speaker: Reverence for life includes all living beings who
want to live there, and requires passion and tolerance for
others, species or cultures (20'15 ''), on a rationally
thinking basis: distinguishing right from wrong, and
considering the consequences of acting (20'25 '').
Schweitzer quote: "We have to try to show the essence of
life by doing our best to alleviate suffering (20'34 ''),
reverence for life, that is, to understand one's own will,
because the will to live must affirm life." (20'42 '') -
Speaker: The term "reverence for life" became the central
theme in the book that Schweitzer wrote (20'47 ''). The
term became the guiding principle of his life (20'50 '').
Children from Gabon [77] - Albert Schweitzer's
philosophy principle: "Reverence for life" [20]
[Disaster in Africa: Since 1916 all borders are closed
and Africa is in depts without end. Also Albert
Schweitzer has to make depts because his donator
circlein Europe is collapsing: there were war duties and
losses and deprivations and deportations of German
Alsacians over the Rhine River].
1917-1919: deportation to France - prisoner of war -
illnesses
In October 1917 the "USA" entered the world war, but
Albert and Helene Schweitzer were still nominally
Prisoners of War (POW). They were deported to France being
sheltered in a troop garrison (21'5 ''). They were housed
first in Bordeaux and then in he location of Garaison in
the Pyrenees in a former monastery, which was now a
prisoner of war camp (21'14 ''). Winter in the high
Pyrenees was unfamiliar for the Schweitzers, both got
sick. Helene got tuberculosis (21'27 '').
[Supplement: TB cures with sodium bicarbonate
water + sugar molasses taken on an empty stomach in 12
days - or soda water + apple cider vinegar taken on an
empty stomach in 30 days - link.
Unfortunately, Albert Schweitzer nor another famous
medical doctor detected the healing effects of sodium
bicarbonate yet, neither Pasteur nor the anthroposophic
doctor Steiner etc.!]
In March 1918 they were transferred to another converted
monastery in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, a special camp for
Alsatians (21'36 ''). Albert Schweitzer always used the
time to write and for further studies (21'42 ''). At the
same time Helene became pregnant. In mid-July, the
Schweitzers were released and traveled home to Alsace
(22'0''). Daughter Rhena was born in early 1919 (January
14, 1919), such joy was rare in these times in contrast to
the endless soldiers' graves (22'17 ''). There was death,
destruction, poverty and disease (22'30 ''). With Albert
Schweitzer the thought "reverence for life" came up again
(22'35 ''). Only the change to this thought could save
civilization from another war orgy (22'42 ''). Helene had
recovered, but they were both fragile (22'58 ''). Albert
Schweitzer had to go through an emergency operation
because of his illness [which illness is not known], and
then he had to look after the child, and he had high debts
with the Paris Mission Society (23'10 '').
1920-1924: Concert tours and lectures in half of Europe
to raise money for the hospital in Africa: Sweden,
France, Germany, Switzerland etc.
Idealism and hope for Africa seemed naive, but there was
an invitation from an Archbishop Soederblom from Sweden to
give lectures at Uppsala University in the spring of 1920
(23'30 ''). Here he found a forum to spread his ideas
earning money at the same time to repay his debts (23'37
''). The Archbishop urged Albert Schweitzer to travel all
over Sweden, give organ concerts and speeches about Africa
(23'43 ''). Albert Schweitzer thinks that if it hadn't
been for this trip with the archbishop, it would have been
absolutely uncertain whether he would ever have been able
to return to his hospital in Gabon again (24'2 ''). The
decision to go back to Africa was not an easy one. This
time he was supposed to travel without Helene because she
was still too weak and the daughter Rhena was too young
for the long journey (24'12 ''). In the next few years
Albert Schweitzer gave concerts and lectures, and public
interest in Albert Schweitzer grew. He toured Switzerland,
England, Germany, Spain, France, Holland and Denmark
(24'27 '').
Publications: memoirs
In 1921 he published his first memoir with the title "On
the edge of the primeval forest" (orig. German: "Zwischen
Wasser und Urwald")
In 1923 Albert Schweitzer published both volumes of his
"The Philosophy of Civilization" (24'41 '').
Book by Albert Schweitzer "On the edge of the primeval
forest" 1922 [92] - Book by Albert Schweitzer "The
Philosophy of Civilization" 1923 [93]
In February 1924, Albert Schweitzer traveled to Lambarene
again, now almost 50 years old. He wanted to set a public
symbol for humanitarian work, with the slogan "Reverence
for life", the basis for Schweitzer's work for the next 40
years (25'13 ''). The hospital got houses, fields and
gardens and became a healing village for the sick and
their relatives (25'25 '').
[Supplement: Missing white carpenters -
dysentery + famine at the same time
Albert Schweitzer made the big mistake of not taking any
European carpenters with him, because he had to rely on
black carpenters, whom he always had to control,
otherwise they would not work. In addition, the hospital
experienced a dysentery epidemic from 1924 to 1926 and
at the same time a famine, and all this together
provoked horrific, concentration camp-like conditions.
The hospital was totally overcrowded and the patients
could not be rejected either. Albert Schweitzer lost a
lot of time looking for food for the hospital (!). And
he had not the idea to isolate the dysentery patients on
an old steamer or so. The black woodcutters of the
Bendjabis also provoked their attention with a high
level of criminality against Albert Schweitzer, against
the hospital staff AND against black fellow patients.
The black Bendjabis did not take educational measures
seriously as long as the hospital was so small].
Hospital village of Lambarene 1924 photo 1 [94] -
Spitaldorf Lambarene 1924 photo 2, house construction
[95] - Spitaldorf Lambarene, sewing work 1924 [96]
[Since 1927 with the third
construction of the hospital 3km upwards the river
also agriculture came, and at the old place a Lepra
and animal hospital was installed]:
Hospital village of Lambarene, harvest for
self-sufficiency [97] - hospital village of Lambarene,
horticulture for self-sufficiency [98] -
Lambarene, Albert Schweitzer with wild animals [99]
In the 1920s and 1930s Schweitzer traveled home again and
again to Alsace, saw Helene and Rhena and collected money
for his hospital (25'38 ''). He has now received honorary
degrees and awards. With the money from the Goethe Prize
(1928) he had a house built in Gunsbach (Günsbach), which
now served as the European headquarters (25'50 '').
Helene Schweitzer with daughter Rhena [100] - Albert
Schweitzer with doctorate in disguise [101] -
With the money from the Goethe Prize (1928) Albert
Schweitzer builds a house in Gunsbach [102]
In 1931 Schweitzer's autobiography is published: "Out of
My Life & Thought" (original German: "Mein Leben und
Gedanken") (25'59 ''). A short time later he published his
first record with organ playing with the Columbia record
company, which Albert Schweitzer celebrated as the
"greatest Bach interpreter" (26'9 ''). The record became a
hit and more records followed (26'13 '').
Autobiography "Out of My Life & Thought" from 1931
[103] - The Columbia record company makes a series with
Albert Schweitzer for organ works by Johann Sebastian
Bach [104]
1940-1945: World War II
from June 1940: Albert Schweitzer in the hospital
village of Lambarene - wounded are healed - corrugated
iron as barricades
Until June 1940, Albert Schweitzer traveled around Europe
to raise funds. The Third Reich occupied France, and with
it all French colonies fell to Germany (26'36 '').
Lambarene was at a fork in the river and strategically
important, was contested (26'46 ''). Even if the hospital
was officially neutral ground, bullets sometimes reached
the hospital area (26'53 ''). The corrugated iron roofs
were removed from the roofs to build barricades with them
(26'59 ''). And at the same time the wounded on both sides
were healed in the hospital ... (27'5 '').
The hospital village of Lambarene by Albert Schweitzer,
aerial photo from 1940 approx. [105] - hospital village
of Lambarene, the hospital building in 1940 approx.
[106] -
Lambarene: During the fighting in 1940, corrugated iron
from the roof served as a barricade. 1940ca. [107]
When the war in Europe got worse and worse, Helene
Schweitzer also traveled to Lambarene in Africa. Since
she had Jewish roots, this escape was all the more
important (27'18 '').
[Supplement: In 1940, Helene Schweitzer
fled to southern France and then traveled on to
Portugal, from there to the Portuguese colony of
Angola, and from there to the neutral hospital
village of Lambarene. [web01]
During the fighting in 1940, the hospital village of
Lambarene treated both sides [108] - Helene Schweitzer
reached Lambarene in 1941 approx. [109] -
Helene Schweitzer in Lambarene, portrait 1941 approx.
[110]
from 1945: nuclear bomb discussion - Nobel Peace Prize
- torchlight processions - photographers are like ticks
In May 1945 the war in Europe was over, but 2 atomic bombs
were dropped on Japan in August 1945, and the following
arms race was exactly the opposite of what Albert
Schweitzer had imagined under hopeful ethics (27'57 '').
During his years in Africa, Albert Schweitzer was a
doctor, surgeon, Jesus Fantasy Pastor, administrator,
inspector, sculptor, carpenter, author, musician,
correspondent. He did everything in his own way as a role
model for a better human race (28'35 ''). In 1952 he was
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (28'44 '').
Hospital village Lambarene: Albert Schweitzer with black
employees [114] - Hospital village Lambarene: Albert
Schweitzer pushes a wheelbarrow [115] -
The certificate of the Nobel Peace Prize for Albert
Schweitzer 1952 [116]
His daughter Rhena says: "That was one afternoon when a
nurse called "Dr. Schweitzer", and Dr. Schweitzer only
said: Has a cat had new kittens? (29'2 ''). And the young
nurse informed him , he won the Nobel Prize (29'5 ")."
Speaker: During the award ceremony in Norway, students in
Sweden made torchlight processions for Albert Schweitzer
(29'19").
Oslo: Albert Schweitzer with the speech about the Nobel
Peace Prize of 1952 [117] - Sweden: Torchlight
procession for Albert Schweitzer' Nobel Peace Prize 1952
[118]
Now wiht a Nobel Peace Prize, Albert Schweitzer was world
famous and could no longer travel in buses and trains
because he was harassed and persecuted everywhere (29'33
''). So he always had to travel in a car now, so he could
choose people who would drive with him, that was amusing,
with students and all kinds of people (29'56 '').
from 1952: Nobel Prize money - new leprosy station -
gigantic correspondence - warning of atomic bomb tests
and nuclear war on the radio and in newspapers
Now the Nobel Prize money was there, and finally a lot of
donations flowed, so new roofs could be installed for the
leprosy station that was currently under construction
(30'20 '') [where the first hospital had been next to the
Jesus Fantasy Mission]. Albert Schweitzer also conducted a
gigantic correspondence and wrote for a long time in the
glow of a gasoline lamp to supporters and friends all over
the world (30'29 ''). Albert Schweitzer's friends included
Pablo Casals, Mr. Nehru from India, Albert Einstein [a
great thief who had given before the signature FOR the
development of the "US" atomic bomb (!)] (30'39 "), as
well as Bertrand Russel [British philosopher,
mathematician, logician, friend of Einstein] (30'42").
Albert Schweitzer and other scientists warned urgently
about the atom bomb and the atomic bomb tests (30'55 '').
In 1957 - shortly before the death of Helene Schweitzer -
the Einstein publisher Mr. Norman Cousins visited the
hospital village in Lambarene. Norman Cousins convinced
Albert Schweitzer to go public with his opinion against
atomic bombs, atomic bomb tests and nuclear war (31'27
'').
[Helene Schweitzer died on June 1st, 1957 in
Zurich - her ashes were scattered in Lambarene [web01].
Norman Cousins, portrait [128] - Book by Norman Cousins:
Albert Schweitzer's Mission (1985) [129] -
Albert Schweitzer's radio speech against nuclear tests
(1957?) [130]
Albert Schweitzer gave a radio speech that attracted
attention all over the world, that was his first public
statement against nuclear war (31'40 ''), and Albert
Schweitzer made a radio series with his speeches that were
heard worldwide (31'48 ''). Schweitzer now also began to
write press articles for the whole world (31'53 '').
Schweitzer also supported leading politicians, and in 1963
the first international nuclear test ban was signed (32'5
'').
Now the Schweitzer daughter Rhena came to Lambarene with
her children, she was a technical nurse (32'17 ''). Albert
Schweitzer was now over 80 years old. He still appealed to
the "reverence for life" because - according to Albert
Schweitzer, quote:
"This principle gave life a deeper and
stronger meaning than the idea of humanism (32'34 '').
Because with the reverence for life, ALL living beings
are integrated, and the idea that man is the "master" of
other creatures is rejected (32'41 ''). ALL life has a
value, and we are integrated into this spiritual
wholeness and maintain a relationship with the whole
universe. " (32'53 '')
Sep.4, 1965: Death of Albert Schweitzer - many months
of pilgrims to Lambarene
Albert Schweitzer died in the hospital village of
Lambarene on September 4, 1965 at 10:30 p.m. The news went
around the world, and the Gabonese people in the jungle
let the drums sound again with the news (33'27 ''). A
month-long stream of Gabonese pilgrims began with walking
queues and canoes to the hospital village of Lambarene to
pause at his grave and attend processions (33'41 ''). Many
of the pilgrims had been born here, treated or healed here
in Lambarene, others just didn't want to miss this moment
(33'53''). Albert Schweitzer was also known as "le grand
docteur" (33'58 '').
[Albert Schweitzer was the model of a "Medical
doctor without frontiers" for the whole world].
Lambarene: death of Albert Schweitzer on September 4,
1965 [140] - Lambarene: funeral of Albert Schweitzer
1965 [141] -
Lambarene: death ceremonies of Albert Schweitzer
September to November 1965 [142]
Lambarene, Albert Schweitzer's simple grave cross from
September 1965 [143]
In over 50 years the hospital had grown from a chicken
house to a village with 72 houses and 600 hospital beds.
The staff consists of 6 doctors and 35 nurses (34'15 '').
Today [2005], many reach the hospital village by car,
others still traditionally by canoe (34'25 ''). There is
accommodation in the hospital village, people still work
with an open cooker, and between 6000 and 7000 patients
are treated in Lambarene each year (34'40 '').
Status 2005: The Albert Schweitzer Museum in the old
hospital building
A museum has been set up in the old hospital building
about Albert Schweitzer, his philosophy of social activity
and his life's work (34'49 ''). Daughter Rhena: "Albert
often explained to me: "The hospital is my improvisation"
(34'56 ''). He knew that one day it would disappear. But
now it's already 90 years old (35'3 '' ). That's a
miracle. But he always emphasized: "What must go on is the
building of my philosophy with the reverence for life."
(35'14 '')
Lambarene 2005: The hospital village
in an oblique aerial view [151]
Status 2005: Houses of the Schweitzer family in
Gunsbach: conference center + museum
Speaker: The family house of the Schweitzer family in
Gunsbach (Günsbach), where Albert Einstein grew up with
family life, is today (as of 2005) a conference center for
international activities and for the distribution of
Schweitzer's philosophy (35'31 '').
The house that Albert Schweitzer built for Helene and his
daughter Rhena, from where he greeted the neighbors at the
window after every European trip from 1927 onwards, is now
a museum and a repository of his correspondence with
people from all over the world (35'55 '').
Gunsbach, the Albert Schweitzer Conference Center [152]
- Gunsbach, the Albert Schweitzer Museum [153]
At the Quinnipiac University [in Hamden in the "US" state
of Connecticut] an Albert Schweitzer Institute was
founded, which became a worldwide instrument to promote
the ideas of Albert Schweitzer (36'6 ''). There are
contacts to Nobel Prize winners, there are student camps
in other countries for humanitarian missions in the "Third
World", as well as activities against nuclear weapons and
poverty (36'31 ''). There was e.g. a school built in
Nicaragua in 2004 (37'0 ''). Everybody can see with this
that not everything is taken for granted everywhere (38'15
''). Such a week of action can fundamentally change the
perspective for the world (38'29 '').
Hamden (Connecticut), the Albert Schweitzer Institute at
Quinnipiac University [154]
: "The young people can be
trained in idealism here, who then want to put these ideas
into practice. Albert Schweitzer is an excellent example
of this (39'5'')."
Daughter Rhena: "My father would be very
happy if he could experience this Albert Schweitzer
Institute in Connecticut, how young people adopt his views
and how his views mean something to them." (39'23 '')
Betty Williams, Northern Ireland, founder of
the local peace movement: "Albert Einstein could have had
a brilliant career in his home country, but he had given
up everything to be a role model for a better human race
(39'41"). And the work of Albert Schweitzer goes on: The
hospital village of Lambarene is there, the Albert
Schweitzer Institute with David Ives is there. " (39'59
'')
Dr. Oscar Arias, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
1987, ex-President of Costa Rica: "Albert Schweitzer was a
really humane person, a real person of peace, he wanted a
world without violence, without threats to human security,
because his philosophy is not just ethics, but that is a
way of life (40'21 "). The" reverence for life "is a
crucial point for peace work and humane progress (40'29").
"
Jimmy Carter: "This adventure with an
unpredictable outcome between people in need who came from
other cultures is of course NEVER a sacrifice [but one of
the greatest pioneering achievements in the whole world]
(40'43"). The greatest thing about this project was the
decision to do it - and the will to invest part of one's
existence in other people's lives (40'57 ''). "
Daughter Rhena: "Maybe one day his work will
bring us world peace (41'15 '')."
A better world: Everyone should do a Lambarene
Speaker: Albert Schweitzer's work was the basis for many
social and humanitarian movements in the world. He also
hoped for the future generations (41'35 ''). Albert
Schweitzer quote:
"Man should recognize the truth in youthful
idealism. In youthful idealism, new wealth comes about
that should not be exchanged for anything in the world
(41'47 ''). Albert Schweitzer also said again and again:
Everyone has to be find his own Lambarene (41'53 '').
Albert Schweitzer quote: "It is not enough just to live
without thinking. It is not enough to say: I earn enough
for life and support my family. I'm doing my job all
right. You should always do a little more: Look for the
places where you can still do something good, everyone
should find his own way to make their own life even more
valuable (42'17 ''). You have to give something to your
fellow human being, even if it's just small things, do
something for those who need help, you don't get paid
for that, it's just a privilege to be able to do it."
(42'31 '')
Speaker: Nowadays, thousands of people all over the world
are doing their own improvisations, making their own
Lambarenes, in a big and little dimension (42'58 '').
Film by the Albert Schweitzer Institute 2005, Quinnipiac
University (44'15 '').
Link
Book by Albert Schweitzer about Johann Sebastian Bach [32] - Albert Schweitzer at an organ [33] - University of Strasbourg [34]
![Lambarene, Albert Schweitzer
with patient at the operating table [and with the
black medical assist Joseph]](../d/002-Leben-ist-argument-d/070-Lambarene-Albert-Schweitzer-m-patient-am-operationstisch.jpg "Lambarene, Albert Schweitzer with patient
at the operating table [and with the black medical
assist Joseph]")
