Wolfram Setz
Wolfram Setz is probably the most noted person responsible for the Ulrichs' revival that has been blossoming in Germany since the mid-1990's. Though he started out single-handedly, his call for the recognition of the greatness and influence of Ulrichs has been steadily answered in other cities throughout Germany.From the year 1975, Ulrichs has been practically the sole property of the United States. It was in America where the seed was planted for the Ulrichs' revival to grow. Among the myriad acknowledgements during the past 25 years in America of Ulrichs' place in Gay history, the most notable are: Ulrichs' works were reprinted, albeit in German (Arno Press, 1975); his works began to appear in English (Urania Manuscripts, 1977); his biography was published (Alyson Publications, 1988); his translated works were published in hard-cover during the commemoration of the 100th year of his death (Prometheus Books, 1994); and a website was created in 2000 in his memory (www.angelfire.com/fl3/celebration2000).
The revival spread to Italy in 1988 when Max Consoli began to hold a celebration every year on Ulrichs' birthday, August 28, at Ulrichs' gravesite in L'Aquila, Italy. Consoli also began to popularize Ulrichs in his own writings.
Until the 1990's, little or no notice was paid to Ulrichs in Germany. Wolfram has changed all that. It appears he has restored Ulrichs to his people, with his coup de grace saved for the year 2000 -- the year the 175th jubilee birthday celebration was held in grand style on Karl-Heinrich-Ulrichs-Platz in Munich, Germany.
Wolfram's contributions to reclaiming the German hero include:
A National Ulrichs Tour in 2000 that included cities in which Ulrichs lived:
Other Moves Wolfram Made in 2000 to Take Back Ulrichs:
- Stuttgart (mid September): The media, including a Gay radio station showed up; see also an article in the Stuttgarter Zeitung
- Berlin: (late September): Set up Ulrichs Exhibit at the Berlin Gay Museum. Exhibit run: 9/28 - 11/19
- Göttingen: Spoke in the city of the folks who began restoration on Ulrichs' grave in 1995 plus got a memorial plaque for Ulrichs in Göttingen
- Berlin: a second time (September 26), to speak at the Prinz Eisenherz Bookstore
- Frankfurt (October 6): There was a birthday article for Ulrichs in the Frankfurter Rundschau (Frankfurt Review): "For the Innocent Class of Men" (Aug. 26/27 2000)
- Aurich (Ulrichs' birthplace) (October 9): Aurich Library, in East Friesland. Here are the headlines from the Ostfriesische Nachrichten (East Friesian News): "The First Gay Person in World History Comes from Aurich;" another article appeared titled "Square in Munich Named after Aurich Man"
Earlier contributions from Wolfram include:
- Munich: International Lecture Series (7/6 to 9/14)
- Munich: Ulrichs Exhibit at Gay Center (SUB) (July-September)
- Munich: (August 25): Arranged reading of Ulrichs by Bernd Aretz at Max & Milian Bookstore
- Munich: (August 26): Gave a birthday party on Karl-Heinrich-Ulrichs-Platz
- L'Aquila, Italy: (August 28): Made an appearance at Ulrichs' grave
- Issued several jubilee publications: see Publications
- 1998 Reprint of some of Ulrichs' poetry and prose
- 1998 Karl-Heinrich-Ulrichs-Platz named
- 1995 Established Munich Ulrichs Committee
- 1994 Reprint of Ulrichs' research
- 1995 Proposal to have memorial plaque affixed to old Odeon Theater
- 1995 Visits Ulrichs' grave in L'Aquila on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Ulrichs' death
Photos sent by Wolfram for a few of the 2000 Jubilee Celebration events:
Return to Top of Page
Return to Memory Book Table of Contents
Return to Celebration