RIZAL IN BERLIN GERMANY
RIZAL IN BERLIN GERMANY
Rizal arrived in Berlin in the evening of Nov. 1 1886
reasons:
- to supplement his studies of languages and science
- to study and observe the political and economic conditions of Germany
- to join the circle of famous German scientists and scholars
- to complete and publish his novel Noli Me Tangere
Fortunate enough he met in person DR. FEODOR JAGOR, author of the book
Travels in The Philippines
Reason why he admired the book:
- It predicted the collapse of the Spanish regime in the Philippines
- it prophesied the coming of the Americans into the Philippines
His acquaintance with DR. JAGOR , through a letter of introduction from
Blumentritt, resulted into his friendship with numerous German intellectuals like
the ffg:
- Dr. Rudolf Virchow, a German anthoropologist
- Dr. Hans Vichow, a German professor of descriptive anatomy
- Dr. Joest, a famous German geographer
- D. Karl Ernest Schweigger, a noted German ophthalmologist
His association with these German intellectuals led to his membership in
prestigious societies of scholar and intellectuals in Berlin
By the recommendation of DR. JAGOR and DR. MEYER, Rizal was accepted as a
member of the ffg societies in Berlin:
- anthropological society, ethnological society, and geographical society
Acting on invitation the invitation of DR.VIRCHOW, Rizal presented a paper in
German entitled TAGALISCHE VERKUNST
(Tagalog medical art) to the ethnological society of Berlin
Life in Berlin was not that easy for Rizal.
- Morning: worked as an assistant of DR. SCHWEIGGERS CLINIC
-Evening: Attended lectures in the UNIVERSITY OF BERLIN
- At boarding house: he continued his physical trimming exercises and practice
in speaking German, French and Italian languages.
- Before resting in the evening: he took time writing and completing his first
novel
There was a time he found himself penniless, that happened from Nov. 1886 –
May 1887
Unable to sent his monthly stipened owing to crop failures in Calamba
In order to eat, he pawn the diamond ring given by Saturnina and sell his books
to second-hand bookstores
Rizal got sick with coughs and colds which are sings of tuberculosis
Penniless at Berlin, he thought of burning his first novel, which he had
completed.