(Excerpts from Wine and Wagons:-Helenendorf- Azerbaijan's First German Settlement)
Why had the Germans left their homeland in the first place? Actually, there were various reasons that influenced their decision to emigrate from Germany and eventually settle in the Caucasus. The primary factor, most likely, was the dire political and economic situation in the southern German provinces as a consequence of the Napoleonic wars.
The role of Juliane von Krüdener also is believed to have figured into the decision. She is said to have influenced the Russian czar, whom she met in Heilbronn, the heart of Schwaben land, in seeking permission to allow the Svebians to emigrate. This occurred during the years immediately following the Napoleon War, which ended in 1815.
In those early days when the Svebians first settled in the Helenendorf region, they had no source of income and, consequently, were deeply indebted to the crown. They had already sold the possessions that they had carried with them to make the journey to Odessa [now Ukraine]. Then came the march from Odessa to the Caucasus. The Svebians finally arrived on the steppe of Khanlar, totally empty-handed: no money, no equipment, no seeds, not even the necessary clothing to warm themselves in the foothills of the Caucasus mountains. It's likely they were close to despair. However, it was their belief in God that kept them going. The moment they realized that there was no way to return, they settled in and determined to fight for their survival with courage and contempt for death.
Survivors
It's true that the Svebians were saved from hunger because neighbors came to their rescue, and the Russian crown offered them loans. The settlers' workload was extremely difficult. They had to cope with bad weather, extreme heat, unhealthy accommodations and poor nutrition, which made them susceptible to serious diseases. Only 118 families were left remaining in the province. Other families died out entirely, including those with names such as Aichler (from Tubingen), Hartenstein (from Balingen), Kies (from Degerloch), Epp, Votteler, Hummel, Vohrer and Klein (from Reutlingen).
Of course, one should not forget the other ravages that these early settlers had to deal with - the assaults and war (1826), the ravaging plague (1829), cholera (1830) and the severe frigid, icy winter that destroyed spring crops and vineyards (1831).
Afterwards, there was a calmer period for the Helenendorf settlers. In fact, the Russo-Turkish War (1855) with its troop mobilization enabled the people of Helenendorf to make considerable profit from the sale of their agricultural products. Furthermore, they began to set up businesses driving wagons that they had constructed themselves. Many people earned their living transporting goods.
Despite the Russo-Turkish war and the serious unrest along the Caucasian border regions, the people of Helenendorf succeeded in constructing a church in 1857-1859. The architect was Eichler.
A chronicle of that period described the significance for the community in building the church: "The calm self-confidence expressed by this decision" positively affected the reputation of the town, as well as the security of the people of Helenendorf and their neighbors. Eventually, they were able to pay off their debt to the Russian crown. In addition, the construction of the Caucasian railway in 1883 through the region greatly improved their opportunities to sell their agricultural products.
However it wasn't long until the repercussions from Hitler's attack on Russia in 1941 were felt by the Azerbaijani Germans living in Helenendorf. Anyone of German origin was immediately identified and deported en masse. On October 17, 1941, a decree led to the confiscation of all their homes, giving them all to the government. The only proof of the many years of their hard labor was a receipt from the local Soviet authorities and the meagre possessions that they were able to carry in their hands. The deportation was carried out on October 18 and 19. And so these German settlers were hauled away by truck to Ganja, a city in north central Azerbaijan. From there, this human freight was sent on to Baku by rail, then further east via the Caspian Sea to Krasnovodsk in Turkmenistan.
At that point, a long freight train journey awaited the exiled settlers. It consisted of a 5,000 km journey eastward via Ashgabad, Samarkand to Tashkent, then further north to Orenburg (Ural Mountains) and from there 1,000 km eastwards to Omsk (Siberia). The final stretch was 500 km south to Zelinograd (Kazakhstan). Understandably, many of settlers did not survive the gruelling trip, and died en route, according to Ulrich Mohl who wrote, "The Schwabish Pioneer Spirit in the Caucasus - the Russian German Colony of Helenendorf," 2002/3.
Relationships Today
Azerbaijan has not forgotten the Germans nor their successful wine growers, wagon constructors and architects. Nor have the names of prominent designers who built prominent buildings in Baku under the auspices of Oil Barons been forgotten either. Their names include such illustrious architects as von der Nonne, A.W. Eichler, I.W. Edel and F.A. Lemkul. Other landmarks which have a German imprint on them exist in downtown Baku, such as the Lutheran church.
The complex adjacent to the church, known as the Kappellhaus was renovated in 1999 by German companies and has since become the center of Azerbaijani-German cultural exchange. These days, many families who trace their origins to Germany no longer speak the German language. For that reason, the German Embassy supports many musical performances at the Kapellhaus, music being a universal language that can be understood and appreciated by all.
Scattered throughout the country and capital are graves of Germans and German prisoners of war - another stark reminder of history but which reflects the friendship that has long existed in the community here in Azerbaijan.
Helenendorf Today
The Schwaben houses which are located in the heart of Azerbaijan in Khanlar / Helenendorf are now part of Azerbaijan's cultural heritage. The vibrant culture of the people who settled Helenendorf can still be felt today especially when you visit Victor Klein's house. Klein, now in his late 60s, is the last surviving German in Azerbaijan. In 1941, as a mere child of 5 years old, he was not forced to leave the country along with the other members in the community as his father had been killed and the child was declared to be Russian.
One of the distinctive characteristics of Helenendorf is the hand-made furniture. Victor loved his mother so much that when she passed away, he left everything in the house in tact and preserved. The furniture is the same as it had been in 1850s. There still is a Christmas tree that Victor has kept for about 40 years. Victor's father had handcrafted all the furniture from cherry and walnut with designs that express dignity and grace.
Unfortunately, these days some of the houses in Helenendorf are in serious disrepair: roofs leak and much of the wood has rotted.
As was true throughout the Soviet Union (1920-1991), most churches were closed. Helenendorf was no exception. The chapel was converted to a Sports Hall where basketball and volleyball were played.
However, recently the Azerbaijani governor of the region has converted the church into a museum. Plans are being made to conserve and renovate the building with the help of the German government.
Courtesy: Azer.com
http://www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/ai122_folder/122_articles/122_helenendorf_khanlar.html
The role of Juliane von Krüdener also is believed to have figured into the decision. She is said to have influenced the Russian czar, whom she met in Heilbronn, the heart of Schwaben land, in seeking permission to allow the Svebians to emigrate. This occurred during the years immediately following the Napoleon War, which ended in 1815.
In those early days when the Svebians first settled in the Helenendorf region, they had no source of income and, consequently, were deeply indebted to the crown. They had already sold the possessions that they had carried with them to make the journey to Odessa [now Ukraine]. Then came the march from Odessa to the Caucasus. The Svebians finally arrived on the steppe of Khanlar, totally empty-handed: no money, no equipment, no seeds, not even the necessary clothing to warm themselves in the foothills of the Caucasus mountains. It's likely they were close to despair. However, it was their belief in God that kept them going. The moment they realized that there was no way to return, they settled in and determined to fight for their survival with courage and contempt for death.
Survivors
It's true that the Svebians were saved from hunger because neighbors came to their rescue, and the Russian crown offered them loans. The settlers' workload was extremely difficult. They had to cope with bad weather, extreme heat, unhealthy accommodations and poor nutrition, which made them susceptible to serious diseases. Only 118 families were left remaining in the province. Other families died out entirely, including those with names such as Aichler (from Tubingen), Hartenstein (from Balingen), Kies (from Degerloch), Epp, Votteler, Hummel, Vohrer and Klein (from Reutlingen).
Of course, one should not forget the other ravages that these early settlers had to deal with - the assaults and war (1826), the ravaging plague (1829), cholera (1830) and the severe frigid, icy winter that destroyed spring crops and vineyards (1831).
Afterwards, there was a calmer period for the Helenendorf settlers. In fact, the Russo-Turkish War (1855) with its troop mobilization enabled the people of Helenendorf to make considerable profit from the sale of their agricultural products. Furthermore, they began to set up businesses driving wagons that they had constructed themselves. Many people earned their living transporting goods.
Despite the Russo-Turkish war and the serious unrest along the Caucasian border regions, the people of Helenendorf succeeded in constructing a church in 1857-1859. The architect was Eichler.
A chronicle of that period described the significance for the community in building the church: "The calm self-confidence expressed by this decision" positively affected the reputation of the town, as well as the security of the people of Helenendorf and their neighbors. Eventually, they were able to pay off their debt to the Russian crown. In addition, the construction of the Caucasian railway in 1883 through the region greatly improved their opportunities to sell their agricultural products.
However it wasn't long until the repercussions from Hitler's attack on Russia in 1941 were felt by the Azerbaijani Germans living in Helenendorf. Anyone of German origin was immediately identified and deported en masse. On October 17, 1941, a decree led to the confiscation of all their homes, giving them all to the government. The only proof of the many years of their hard labor was a receipt from the local Soviet authorities and the meagre possessions that they were able to carry in their hands. The deportation was carried out on October 18 and 19. And so these German settlers were hauled away by truck to Ganja, a city in north central Azerbaijan. From there, this human freight was sent on to Baku by rail, then further east via the Caspian Sea to Krasnovodsk in Turkmenistan.
At that point, a long freight train journey awaited the exiled settlers. It consisted of a 5,000 km journey eastward via Ashgabad, Samarkand to Tashkent, then further north to Orenburg (Ural Mountains) and from there 1,000 km eastwards to Omsk (Siberia). The final stretch was 500 km south to Zelinograd (Kazakhstan). Understandably, many of settlers did not survive the gruelling trip, and died en route, according to Ulrich Mohl who wrote, "The Schwabish Pioneer Spirit in the Caucasus - the Russian German Colony of Helenendorf," 2002/3.
Relationships Today
Azerbaijan has not forgotten the Germans nor their successful wine growers, wagon constructors and architects. Nor have the names of prominent designers who built prominent buildings in Baku under the auspices of Oil Barons been forgotten either. Their names include such illustrious architects as von der Nonne, A.W. Eichler, I.W. Edel and F.A. Lemkul. Other landmarks which have a German imprint on them exist in downtown Baku, such as the Lutheran church.
The complex adjacent to the church, known as the Kappellhaus was renovated in 1999 by German companies and has since become the center of Azerbaijani-German cultural exchange. These days, many families who trace their origins to Germany no longer speak the German language. For that reason, the German Embassy supports many musical performances at the Kapellhaus, music being a universal language that can be understood and appreciated by all.
Scattered throughout the country and capital are graves of Germans and German prisoners of war - another stark reminder of history but which reflects the friendship that has long existed in the community here in Azerbaijan.
Helenendorf Today
The Schwaben houses which are located in the heart of Azerbaijan in Khanlar / Helenendorf are now part of Azerbaijan's cultural heritage. The vibrant culture of the people who settled Helenendorf can still be felt today especially when you visit Victor Klein's house. Klein, now in his late 60s, is the last surviving German in Azerbaijan. In 1941, as a mere child of 5 years old, he was not forced to leave the country along with the other members in the community as his father had been killed and the child was declared to be Russian.
One of the distinctive characteristics of Helenendorf is the hand-made furniture. Victor loved his mother so much that when she passed away, he left everything in the house in tact and preserved. The furniture is the same as it had been in 1850s. There still is a Christmas tree that Victor has kept for about 40 years. Victor's father had handcrafted all the furniture from cherry and walnut with designs that express dignity and grace.
Unfortunately, these days some of the houses in Helenendorf are in serious disrepair: roofs leak and much of the wood has rotted.
As was true throughout the Soviet Union (1920-1991), most churches were closed. Helenendorf was no exception. The chapel was converted to a Sports Hall where basketball and volleyball were played.
However, recently the Azerbaijani governor of the region has converted the church into a museum. Plans are being made to conserve and renovate the building with the help of the German government.
Courtesy: Azer.com
http://www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/ai122_folder/122_articles/122_helenendorf_khanlar.html
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