Germans love cowboys. They love Indians even more. Through the prolific writings of Germany's most famous Western author, Karl May, perceptions of untamed cowboys befriending noble savages have become legend among the country's baby boomers. May wrote during the 19th century and his two most famous characters, Winnetou and Old Shatterhand, have become icons of German cinema history. The films created based on the books have even inspired a Western-themed musical, Der Schuh des Manitu (Manitou's Shoe).
Earlier this month I went out to the Old Texas Town to photograph a group of Western fans who have built a replica frontier town in Berlin's Spandau district. The site includes a saloon, a jail, and a copy of the Alamo church. The photos are in today's Houston Chronicle and accompany a story by reporter Moises Mendoza about this very obsession.
2 comments:
Hello Lovely!
Germans are crazy about Cowboys! Ronny's parents went to see that musical and LOVED it! Who would have thought?!?!?
Keep up the fantastic job!
Haha, so funny! Great pictures, Becky!
p.s. word verification: "pnownse" as in, "Rebecca Miller pnownse that Houston Chronicle article!" :)
Post a Comment