The Spälköppel @museum.de

M: And? Did you understand a word they were saying? No? No wonder! Plattdeutsch – or Low German – isn't some comical accent; it's a real language that's even been included in the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.

F: Since the Local History Society was first established, it has worked to preserve this language – especially in the form of folk plays that are performed here annually between Dahl, Flett and Unnerschlag – that is, in the space between the hearth, the hall and the eaves.

M: The Local History Society's drama group, the Spälköppel, was founded over a century ago. Its first performance was back in 1910, to celebrate the opening of the Ammerland Farmhouse. The play was "De Freewarer" – "The Suitor". Since then, hardly a year has gone by without the group putting on a new play. Several generations of head teachers, teachers, society chairs and, last but not least, local millers have ventured on to the stage of the Ammerland Farmhouse in a wide variety of costumes and the most ridiculous comedies of errors.

F: Dance groups, Low German discussion groups and the spinning and weaving group round out the programme of leisure activities on offer from the Local History Society.