Chris Garcia returns to Rotenburg
By Indra Dwarka-Koch (Trinidad Guardian)The World Cup in Germany may be over but certainly not in the host city of the Soca Warriors, Rotenburg on the Wuemme.
Reminiscence of happier times in the whole town are obvious. The colour red, that once dominated this sleepy north German town, may have faded but there are still visible signs like “Soca Village” or the lone flag of T&T soaring high at the Hotel Wachtelhof, residence of the Soca Warriors during their historical stay in Germany.
The town square was renamed “Soca Square” during the World Cup. For the people of Rotenburg the palm trees and tons of sand in the market square, along with music and rhythm of the Caribbean, meant a flair and a tropical feeling, that will never come back. Gone are the days when the Rotenburgers limed with the Trinis, no more bottle and spoon, no more late coming and no more echoes of Chris Garcia’s hymn Deutschland Wunderbar.
Parting from the Trinis was such sweet sorrow for the Rotenburgers folk. The town has become a steadfast point again and the “Pferdemarkt” (horse market) has taken back it’s dominance, then life must go on.
No wonder that Chris Garcia was invited to sing at the 50th birthday party of host mother Regina Specht, where he stayed during the World Cup in Rotenburg. The whole affair was kept a secret until the evening of the party. In next to no time word spread around that Chris was in town. Fans of all ages came out in their numbers, some even in their TnT fan colours, to witness their beloved song artiste from the Caribbean.
Chris’ performance at the bowling centre and at the Weichel Lake Strand House brought back memories to the Rotenburgers. The refrain of Chris’s hymn—Deutschland Wunderbar—was surely not forgotten. A perfect recollection.
Chris also took this opportunity to launch his new song, Du bist die Beste, the lyrics declaring a gratitude to Germany for the magnificent games it gave to the world.
For the people of Rotenburg it meant so much for Chris to return to the scene and bring back sweet memories of past days. Even the Lord Mayor, Detlef Eichinger, who is at present on vacation, took the time off to greet his guest from oversees. He was ever so present at the Strand House to witness Chris live on stage. The sun shines again in Rotenburg.
The great moors, the river Wuemme, the harmonious and tranquil landscapes of Lower Saxony, together with the warm hospitality of the Rotenburgers, boomeranged the people of T&T.
Today, the sad faces of the folks in Rotenburg remind one of murkiness of Hamlin, where the Pied Piper took away the children, leaving the mothers to cry and the town fathers regretting.
A time to remember, a time to make friends. Germany has certainly lived up to Fifa’s motto, and the friendship between T&T and Rotenburg will definitely go down in the history of both countries. Hopefully one day the two will be in partnership—Port-of-Spain and Rotenburg on the Wuemme—just like two good friends.
Popular T&T entertainer Chris Garcia, left, poses with Rotenburg Mayor Detlef Eichinger, right, and writer Indra Dwarka-Koch.
