Nordfriesischer Verein für Heimatkunde und Heimatliebe

The Nordfriesischer Verein für Heimatkunde und Heimatliebe — today usually shortened to Nordfriesischer Verein (NFV) — is a registered cultural association (eingetragener Verein) of the Frisian ethnic group in the district of Nordfriesland in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It was founded on 13 August 1902, when the Mildstedt pastor August Schulz invited people to Rödemis to establish a society for the cultivation of the local history of North Frisia. From the outset the association dealt with North Frisian history, nature and folklore, and it soon became the principal discussion forum for North Frisian affairs. It was the first regionally focused heritage association in Schleswig-Holstein. The association describes itself as a bridge between past and present, working to keep North Frisian cultural heritage alive and to develop it in a contemporary way. Its activities include educational and public-relations work, cultural events, language promotion, and networking among actors within the region. It also supports projects in the fields of youth work, traditional costume (Trachtenwesen), heritage conservation and research. The NFV is the umbrella organisation (Dachverband) of the North Frisian heritage and Frisian associations and represents their interests. It is institutionally funded through the funds for the Frisian ethnic group of the State of Schleswig-Holstein (Friisk Stifting / Friesenstiftung). Historically, the association emerged in the imperial era under the name "Nordfriesischer Verein für Heimatkunde und Heimatliebe". Especially around the Schleswig plebiscites and the German-Danish antagonism that followed, it represented those North Frisians who saw the North Frisian language and culture under the German roof and understood the Frisians as a German tribe. This distinguished it from North Frisians who regarded Frisian culture as independent and emphasised the historical connection with Denmark; after North Frisia remained with Germany in 1920, the latter founded the Friesisch-schleswigscher Verein in 1923, which sought recognition of the Frisians as a national minority. The contrast between the two associations continues to have an effect today, though it now plays only a subordinate role. The NFV has been organised in several local associations (Ortsvereine) and has a strong focus on the cultivation of customs and traditions. In its founding year it already published the first Nordfriesisches Jahrbuch (North Frisian Yearbook); since 1965 the yearbook has been published jointly with the Nordfriisk Instituut. Like most North Frisians, and favoured by the national-German position in the German-Danish conflict, the association initially viewed the völkisch ideology of the National Socialists positively. However, resistance arose against the threat of Gleichschaltung, and after the association was ultimately integrated under the name "Heimatbund Nordfriesland" into the NS-Kulturgemeinde and turned into a National Socialist institution, most of its influential members resigned. After the Second World War the association was able to be re-founded. Today the Nordfriesischer Verein is active in language courses, youth work, dance workshops, cultural events and publications. Together with the Friisk Foriining and representatives of the "Verein Nordfriesisches Institut", the Landschaft Eiderstedt, the municipality of Helgoland and the Öömrang Ferian, it is organised in the North section of the Friesenrat (Frisian Council). Its office is in Bredstedt, and its current first chairman is Ingwer Oldsen, who succeeded Gudrun Fuchs after her twelve years in office.

The Nordfriesischer Verein für Heimatkunde und Heimatliebe was founded on 13 August 1902, when the Mildstedt pastor August Schulz invited people to Rödemis to establish an association for the cultivation of the local history of North Frisia. North Frisian history, nature and folklore were the initial focus. The steadily declining significance of the Frisian language quickly became a theme of the association's work after its founding, and the terms Heimatkunde (local history) and Heimatliebe (love of homeland) were increasingly interpreted in connection with the Frisian language. Despite pessimistic assessments about the long-term survival of the language, many considered it desirable to save it. The Nordfriesischer Verein formed the actual discussion forum in North Frisia and for this reason alone had an outstanding significance. It was the first regionally focused heritage association in Schleswig-Holstein. In the years following its founding, many local Frisian associations with a Frisian-speaking background joined. In the south of North Frisia, Low German-speaking associations joined the Nordfriesischer Verein für Heimatkunde und Heimatliebe. Thus the association took on the role of a spokesperson and umbrella organisation, which continues to this day. After the First World War, a change in the valuation of the Frisian language occurred, not least based on the Frisian language decree of the Prussian state government. With it, systematic school instruction in Frisian became possible for the first time, opening the chance to give the rising generation access to the Frisian language beyond the family. Especially in the context of the Schleswig plebiscites and the German-Danish antagonism of the following period, the association appeared as an association of those North Frisians who saw the North Frisian language and culture under the German roof and understood the Frisians as a German tribe. This distinguished them from the North Frisians who regarded Frisian culture as independent and emphasised the historical connection with Denmark. After North Frisia remained with Germany in 1920, the latter founded the Friesisch-schleswigscher Verein in 1923, which sought recognition of the Frisians as a national minority. The contrast between these two associations continues to have an effect today, but now plays only a subordinate role. Like most North Frisians, and favoured by the national-German position in the German-Danish conflict, the Nordfriesischer Verein initially viewed the völkisch ideology of the National Socialists positively. However, resistance arose against the threat of Gleichschaltung, and after the association was ultimately integrated under the name 'Heimatbund Nordfriesland' into the NS-Kulturgemeinde and had become a National Socialist institution, most of its influential members resigned. After the Second World War, the association was able to be re-founded. The association has been organised in several local associations (Ortsvereine) and has a focus on the cultivation of customs. In its founding year it already published the first Nordfriesisches Jahrbuch; since 1965 the yearbook has been published jointly with the Nordfriisk Instituut. Together with the Friisk Foriining and representatives of the 'Verein Nordfriesisches Institut', the Landschaft Eiderstedt, the municipality of Helgoland and the Öömrang Ferian, the Nordfriesischer Verein is organised in the North section of the Friesenrat. Today the Nordfriesischer Verein e.V. is institutionally funded through funds for the Frisian ethnic group of the State of Schleswig-Holstein (Friisk Stifting / Friesenstiftung). Its work centres on commitment to the cultural diversity of North Frisia and the preservation of regional traditions. Its tasks include educational and public relations work, cultural events, language promotion and networking among actors within the region. It also supports projects in the areas of youth, traditional costume, heritage conservation and research. The association sees itself as a bridge between past and present, with the goal of keeping North Frisian cultural heritage alive and developing it in a contemporary way. Its office is in Bredstedt, and its current first chairman is Ingwer Oldsen, who succeeded Gudrun Fuchs after her twelve years in office.

• 1965

  The Nordfriesisches Jahrbuch has been published jointly with the Nordfriisk Instituut since 1965.

• 1923

  The Friesisch-schleswigscher Verein was founded by North Frisians who regarded Frisian culture as independent and sought recognition as a national minority.

• 1920

  North Frisia remained with Germany after the Schleswig plebiscites.

• 1918

  After the First World War, a change in the valuation of the Frisian language occurred, based partly on the Frisian language decree of the Prussian state government, enabling systematic school instruction in Frisian.

• 1902

  Foundation of the Nordfriesischer Verein für Heimatkunde und Heimatliebe on 13 August in Rödemis at the invitation of pastor August Schulz.

• 1902

  Publication of the first Nordfriesisches Jahrbuch in the founding year.

• During the Nazi era, the association was integrated under the name 'Heimatbund Nordfriesland' into the NS-Kulturgemeinde, leading most influential members to resign.

• After the Second World War, the association was able to be re-founded.

• Ingwer Oldsen was unanimously elected as First Chairman, succeeding Gudrun Fuchs who had held the office for 12 years.

A bridge between past and present, dedicated to preserving and developing North Frisian cultural heritage, language and identity.

• Nordfriesisches Jahrbuch

  Annual publication first issued in 1902; published jointly with the Nordfriisk Instituut since 1965.

• Language courses and cultural taster courses

  Courses on the Frisian language and culture offered in autumn 2024, covering a diverse range of topics with speakers from the region.

• Youth leisure activities

  Youth camps such as the 'Autumn leisure' and 'Christmas leisure' offered in 2024.

• Children's and youth dance workshop

  Workshop held from 7 to 9 March at the youth hostel in Husum, focusing on traditional dances.

• Christmas baking event

  Event on 6 December 2024 at the Lindholm primary school where Frisian children bake cookies and gingerbread together.

• SprachenBüfett language meeting

  Language meeting in North Frisia on 15 September 2024 at the Nordsee Akademie in Leck.

1. 1Nordfriesischer Verein e.V. – Homepagenf-verein.de
2. 2Über uns – Nordfriesischer Verein e.V.nf-verein.de
3. 3Geschichte – Nordfriesischer Verein e.V.nf-verein.de
4. 4Termine 2026 – Nordfriesischer Verein e.V.nf-verein.de
5. 5Nordfriesischer Verein für Heimatkunde und Heimatliebe – Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6Nordfriesischer Verein – Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org