Under the influence of the Digedags phenomenon
In the heart of Germany, the Zeitgeschichtliches Forum Leipzig (ZFL) is currently hosting a special exhibition to honour the 70th anniversary of the iconic "Mosaik" series. Titled "Digedags - Mythos Ostdeutschland" (Digedags - Myth of East Germany), this exhibition is not just a celebration of the past, but a testament to the enduring legacy of the series and its creator, Hannes Hegen.
Michael Hebestreit, a trained printing technician and one of the editors of the fanzine "Mosaiker", is prominently involved in the creation and curation of this exhibition. Hebestreit's "fan work" began at a "Mosaik" market in East Germany, and his passion for the series has led him to become one of the few fans named in the search results.
The "Mosaik" series, initially called a "picture story" by Hegen himself, was compared to a "Baedeker of children's dreams" by writer Christoph Dickmann. The series, published in December 1955, contained witty and memorable stories, with the limericks of Knight Runkel von Rübenstein being memorable enough to be quoted decades later.
The Leipzig exhibition features a "busy picture" depicting an air landing over ancient Rome, revealing historical buildings that Hegen and his employees drew. This is just a glimpse into the meticulous research the authors of "Mosaik" undertook, collecting evidence on geography, architecture, clothing, everyday objects, and plant and animal life of the respective periods and regions.
The first "Mosaik" fan club was established in 1988 in Apolda, Thuringia, and today, there are numerous fan clubs and more than a dozen fanzines. The fans have preserved Hegen's extensive archive, including drawings, photos, letters, and furniture. This archive has been used to create four exhibitions about "Mosaik" in recent years.
The series' main characters are Dig, Dag, and Digedag, who have achieved cult status in the DDR and have become a "myth". Hebestreit has just published an elaborately designed atlas, titled "From the Orient to the Nucleon", which traces the travel routes of the Digedags and the locations of their adventures.
In addition to the physical exhibition, there is an online encyclopedia called Mosa Pedia, containing over 20,000 articles, and many well-researched specialist books about "Mosaik" and the Digedags. The Leipzig exhibition is the first to involve fans in its creation, with five fans serving as "co-curators".
This exhibition is a must-visit for anyone with a love for comic history, especially those who grew up with the "Mosaik" series. It serves as a reminder of the impact that a single series can have on a generation and the enduring power of imagination.
Hebenstreit's work on the exhibition and his publication of the atlas are fitting tributes to Hegen, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday on May 16th this year. The "Mosaik" series continues to captivate fans, and its legacy lives on in the hearts of those who grew up with it and in the new generations who discover it.
