Although Low German is spoken by an estimated 4.8million people, it’s declining rapidly and so is recognised by UNESCO as having a vulnerable status.

Read or listen to the poem Seelenschlüssel by C. Glenewinkel written in Low German below, with thanks to Bremen UNESCO City of Literature for this contribution to the No Tongues Left To Chant exhibition.

About the author

Born in Hamburg in 1970, C. Glenewinkel studied art and cultural studies in Bremen. She trained as a screenwriter. She has worked and written in the fields of fine arts, film and various cultural projects. Since 2015, she has been working as a freelance cultural studies concept developer and author, as well as a tour guide for various cultural institutions and companies in Bremen.

She is committed to promoting Low German, is an advisory board member of the LzN and INS Bremen, heads the Bremen “Klöönwark” and initiated and co-organised the Bremen Low German festival PLATT Land Fluss! 2021/2023. Together with her husband, she performs as the duo JO! and gives readings in Low German.