From Unity, 12 September 2009

A horse, Berthold Brecht, and commie books

As the 12th of September, the date of the 16th Yard Fest and Open Day at the Flax Mill, Dungiven, is drawing near, the hustle and bustle in and around the historic linen mill is increasing. The mill-owner and chief weaver, Marion Baur, welcomed the first group of visitors from Wittenberg and from Birmingham last Saturday. While Dutch television was interviewing her husband at St George‘s Market in Belfast, Marion revealed some amazing extra attractions that have been added to the programme since it was published a couple of weeks ago.
     The German blacksmith Marius Eitelwein has decided to actually shoe a horse this time. From Germany he contacted a local horse-owner, who was delighted to get his animal fitted with new shoes made to measure there and then.
     Joeby Fox, up-and-coming Belfast songwriter and musician, will be at the evening gig for a short, very special guest performance. Marion Baur was delighted to learn that Joeby, who is now been managed by a Danish friend of Flax Mill, Sophie Rasmussen, is going to be there. “We didn’t think it was going to happen: he is a very busy man. We won’t say much in public before the gig. He will be on stage for only a couple of pieces, probably right in front of Maranna McCloskey’s set.”
     Sinem Fendt, a young communist from Berlin who is doing work experience in Galway, will be coming to Flax Mill for a reading of Berthold Brecht’s poetry. Germany’s greatest poet of all time (“In Praise of Communism,” “Mother Courage” . . .) is Sinem’s favourite writer, and she belongs to a group of people in Berlin who read Brecht in theatres. Marion Baur says: “An absolute highlight in the history of the Yard Fest.”
     Several owners of vintage cars—real rarities, such as a Morris Commercial of 1929 and one of the first Minis ever made, to name but a few—have decided to show their gems at the Flax Mill during the Open Day.
     Among the stalls of the “cream of crafters” will be an unusual one this time: the CPI is putting up a bookstall selling communist and other radical literature.
     Marion Baur stressed the urgent need for people who want to come to the concert and haven’t booked yet to do so. “Technically we are full for the night and are starting to turn people away now. We will make exceptions for readers of Unity and for comrades, but not unless they book with us beforehand. Otherwise catering for the guests would become impossible.”
     For details ring Hermann at the Mill, (028) 77742655, or e-mail .

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