Schlaraffia
Schlaraffia is a worldwide German-speaking society founded in Prague in 1859 with a pledge of friendship, art and humor.
, founder of the schlaraffia movement
The Schlaraffen, members of a men's organisation, meet in midwinter once per week in their Schlaraffen castle for "Sippungen". In doing so, everyday life is satirised as well as kept alive through recitations of literary and musical forms. An antiquated language with its own vernacular for everyday things gives the Sippungen their own humorous note. The approximately 280 "Reychs" stay in close contact with one another. Each Schlaraffe is always welcome in every Reych in the world.
Reychs currently exist in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Sweden, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Thailand, South Africa, and Australia. The total number of Schlaraffen amounts to about 10,000. New members must be introduced by a Schlaraffe, complete a probationary period before a general vote is recorded, and start their career as knave, which leads from the position of squire to knight.
Important artists were and are Schlaraffen, as well as the Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann, who was forced to give up his association due to Nazi opposition to Freemasonry.
Their 'mascot' is the eagle owl symbolising wisdom, virtue and humour.
