First Letter to Blumentritt

July 31, 1886 – Rizal wrote his first letter to Professor

Ferdinand Rizal’s Life in Berlin

Five reasons why Rizal stayed in Berlin:

Rizal worked as an assistant in the clinic of Dr.

Scweigger, and at night, he attended lectures in the

University of Berlin.

He also took private lessons in French under Madame

Lucie Cerdole.

Madame Lucie Gerdolle- who taught Rizal the various languages that he needs to know.

Rizal on German Women

Rizal sent a letter to his sister, Trinidad, dated on March 11, 1886. In his letter, Rizal expressed his high regard and admiration for German w Rizal on German WomenOn a letter he wrote to His sister Trinidad, Rizal described the German women to be:

Serious Diligent Educated Friendly Not gossipy Not frivolous Not quarrelsome

Rizal noted that the women in the Philippines are more concerned of what their clothing than of what they know. omanhood. Rizal said that German woman is serious,

diligent, educated and friendly.

German Customs

Some of the German customs Rizal admired:

On Yuletide season, people will select a pine tree

from the bushes and adorned it with lanterns,

papers, lights, dolls, candies, fruits, etc.

Self-introduction to strangers in a social gathering.

Rizal’s Darkest Winter

The winter of 1886 in Berlin was his darkest winter.

He lived in poverty because no money arrived from

Calamba and he was flat broke.

He could not pay his landlord and he was eating only

one meal a day.

His clothes were old and threadbare.

His health broke down due to lack of proper

nourishment.

This is one of the most memorable days in the life of

Rizal.

Blumentritt who is the Director of the Ateneo of

Leitmeritz, Austria.

Blumentritt is an Austrian ethnologist and he

has an interest in the Philippine language.

Rizal sent Aritmetica (Arithmetic) book to Blumentritt

which was published in 2 languages – Spanish and

Tagalog – by the University of Santo Tomas Press in

1868. The author was Rufino Baltazar Hernandez.

Blumentritt became the best friend of Rizal.

Ferdinand Blumentritt- Director of Leitmetriz, Austria. Rizal sent him a letter with an attached book from a fellowman in the Philippines entitled “Arithmetica” by Rufino Baltazar Hernandez from Santa Cruz, Laguna.

Fifth Centenary of Heidelberg University

- The famous University of Heidelberg held its fifth

centenary celebration on August 6, 1886 where

Rizal had witnessed the said celebration.

In Leipzig and Dresden

August 14, 1886 – Rizal arrived in Leipzig

He attended some lectures at the University of Leipzig

on history and psychology.

He befriended Prof. Friedrich Ratzel, a famous

historian, and Dr. Hans Meyer, German anthropologist.

Rizal found out that the cost of living in Leipzig was the

cheapest in Europe so he stayed for 2 months and a

half.

On October 29, he went to Dresden, where he met Dr.

Adolph B. Meyer, the Director of the Anthropological

and Ethnological Museum.

Rizal Goes to Leipzig Schillers William Tell- Rizal translated this book from

German to Tagalog for Filipinos to know about the Swiss independence.

Han’s Andersens Fairy Tales- Rizal also translated his to tagalong for his nephews and nieces.

Dr. Feodor Jagor- German Scientist traveler and author of Travels in the Philippines

Dr. Rudolf Virchow- Professor of descriptive Anatomy, who also recognized Rizal’s genius.

Rizal Welcomed in Berlin’s Scientific Circles

Rizal was enchanted by Berlin because of its scientific

atmosphere and the absence of race prejudice.

Some scientists Rizal met are:

Dr. Feodor Jagor – German scientist-traveler

and author of Travels in the Philippines

Dr. Rudolf Virchow – famous German

anthropologist

Dr. W. Joest – German geographer

Dr. Karl Ernest Schweigger – famous

German ophthalmologist