LESSON 8: PARIS TO BERLIN

LESSON 8: PARIS TO BERLIN

Guide Questions:

1. Who are the notable people did

Rizal met in Paris and Berlin?

2. What are the scenic places he had

visited?
 LESSON 8: PARIS TO BERLIN

In Gay Paris (1885-1886)

• On his way to Paris, Rizal stopped in
Barcelona to visit Maximo Viola
• He befriended Eusebio Corominas – Editor
of La Publicidad; Don Miguel Morayta
(owner)
• He gave Corominas an Article on the
“Caroline’s Question,” then a controversial
issue, for publication.
• He worked as an assistant to Dr. Louis De
Weckert, leading French Opthalmologist MAXIMO VIOLA
 LESSON 8: PARIS TO BERLIN

• Outside his working hours he visited his friends: Tavera’s, Juan

Luna, Felix Hidalgo. “ The Monkley and the Turtle” – Paz album,
Jose Rizal drew a series of sketches
• He also spent happy hours in Luna’s studio, improved his own
painting technique and posing as model in several paintings:
The Blood Compact The Death of Cleopatra
 LESSON 8: PARIS TO BERLIN

In Historic Heidelberg
• He left Paris on on February 1, 1886 for Germany. He visited
Strasbourg ( capital of Alsace Lorraine ) Visited Strasbourg ( capital of
Alsace Lorraine on February 1, 1886)
• He lived in boarding house with German law students who made him
a member of the Chess Player’s Club
• He then transferred near the University
where he worked as an assisstant to
Dr. Otto Becker, German opthalmologist
• Attended lectures of Dr. Becker And
Prof. Wilhelm Kuehne
 LESSON 8: PARIS TO BERLIN

Rizal as Musician
• “ I learned the solfeggio, the piano, the voice culture in one and a
half month, if you could hear me sing, you would wish you were in
Spain because my voice is like the braying of the asses.” (Letter to
de Lete dated Nov. 27, 1878)
• Flute – the only instrument Rizal could play
• Compositions :
1. Alin Mang Lahi
2. La Deportacion
 LESSON 8: PARIS TO BERLIN

With Pastor Ulmer at Wilhelmsfeld

• Rizal spent a three-month summer
vacation in Wilhelmsfeld.
• Dr. Karl Ullmer is a kind Protestant pastor where Rizal stayed, who
became his good friend and admirer
• On June 25, 1886, Rizal ended his sojourn at Pastor Ulmer’s home.
• On May 29, 1887, he wrote from Munich (Muchen) to Friedrich
(Fritz), son of Pastor Ullmer.
• On July 31, 1886, he wrote his first letter in German (which he had
improved after his stay with the Ullmers) to Professor Blumentritt,
Director of the Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Austria.
 LESSON 8: PARIS TO BERLIN

First Letter to Blumentritt

• Rizal sent the book Aritmetica
(Arithmetic) to Blumentritt. He
mentioned and was published in
two languages—Spanish and
Tagalog—by the University of
Santo Tomas Press in 1868. The
author was Rufino Baltazar
Hernandez, a native of Santa
Cruz, Laguna.
 LESSON 8: PARIS TO BERLIN

• Rizal’s letter from Heidelberg impressed Blumentritt, who

reciprocated by sending by sending Rizal a gift of two books. It
marked the beginning of their long and frequent correspondence,
also of their friendship that lasted all their lives. Blumentritt, the
Austrian, became the best friend of Rizal, the Filipino.
• August 6, 1886- the famous University of
Heidelberg held its fifth centenary
celebration.
 LESSON 8: PARIS TO BERLIN

In Leipzig and Dresden

• August 9, 1886- Rizal left Heidelberg and
August 14, 1886- boarded by a train. Rizal
arrived in Leipzig.
•Attended lectures at the University on history
and psychology.
•Befriended Prof. Friedrich Ratzel (German
Historian) and Dr. Hans Meyer ( German
Anthropologist)
 LESSON 8: PARIS TO BERLIN

• In Leipzig, Rizal translated Schiller’s William

Tell from German into Tagalog so that Filipino
might know the story of that champion of
Swiss independence.
• Rizal also translated into Tagalog for his
nephews and niece Hans Andersen’s Fairy
Tales.
• Corrected some of his novels.
• Worked as proof-reader in a publisher’s firm.
 LESSON 8: PARIS TO BERLIN

Dresden (two days sojourn)

• Met Dr. Adolf B. Meyer (Dir. Of the
Anthropological and Ethnological
Museum)
• Heard the mass and which impresses him

Dr. Adolf B. Meyer

 LESSON 8: PARIS TO BERLIN

Rizal Welcomed in Berlin’s Scientific Circles

• Rizal met for the first time Dr. Feodor Jagor, celebrated German
scientist-traveler and author of Travels in the Philippines, a book
which Rizal read and admired during his student days in Manila.
• Dr. Rudolf Virchow- introduced to Rizal by
Dr. Jagor; famous German anthropologist.
• Dr. Hans Virchow- son of Dr. Rudolf Virchow,
professor of Descriptive Anatomy
• Dr. W. Joest- noted German geographer
• Dr. Ernest Schweigger (1830-1905)- famous
German ophthalmologist where Rizal worked.
 LESSON 8: PARIS TO BERLIN

• Became a member of Anthropological, Ethnological and

Geographical society( first Asian to be accorded such honors)
• Tagalische Verkunst (Tagalog Metrical Art) – a scholarly paper
written and lectured by Rizal before the ethnographic Society of
Berlin and later was published by the society.
• Reasons for staying Berlin:
• (1) to gain further knowledge of ophthalmology (2) to further his
studies of sciences and languages (3) to observe the economic and
political conditions of the German nation (4) to associate with famous
German scientists and scholars (5) to publish his novel, Noli Me
Tangere.
 LESSON 8: PARIS TO BERLIN

• Led a methodical and frugal life.

• Worked as an assistant to Dr. Schweigger
and attended lectures at night in the
University of Berlin
• Practiced speaking in German, French
and Italian
• Took private lessons in French under Madam Lucie Cerdole
• Performed daily exercise in Berlin Gymnasium
• Tour the countryside observing keenly the customs, dresses, homes
and occupations of the peasants
• Enjoyed promenading along Unter den Linden
 LESSON 8: PARIS TO BERLIN

• On the German Women:

“She is not gossipy, frivolous, and quarrelsome like the Spanish
women. She is not particular about beautiful dresses and expensive
jewelry, though she could dress nicely like any other woman in the
world” ( Letter to Trinidad dated March 11, 1886)
“Now that you are still young you should strive to read, read and
learn. You must not allow yourself to be conquered by indolence
because it cost so little to cast it off” (Advice to Trinidad)
 LESSON 8: PARIS TO BERLIN

Rizal’s Darkest Winter

• The diamond ring was in the pawnshop
• Could not pay his landlord
• Scrimp eating only one meal a day
• Clothes are old and threadbare and washed them himself