Bublichki, Koyft mayne beygelecht, Heysinke bublichki, Hu,koyft... Di nakht es geyt farbay, Here I stand thinking What's gonna be? There's nothing but pain at home I'm so hungry, I'm about to faint You could call this decadence: to swing and dance on these lyrics! (partly written down here) Here I stand thinking What's gonna be? There's nothing but pain at home I'm so hungry, I'm about to faint
There's so much political correctness these days - no need to be oversensitive and we should be grateful language is much richer and offering a lot more nuances and contexts than some crusaders of strict morality are trying to impose.
Based on the word 'decay', decadence can also mean decomposition as well as degeneration. This was the sort of criticism Hitler levelled at modern artists, who were some of his keenest critics. 'Degenerate' & 'decadent' he called all modern art, which he destroyed with glee. I wd humbly point out that without 'decadent' Bohemia there wd be no avant-garde, & what a dull world that wd be...
I think most of us - native English speakers anyway - would understand "decadence" in this context, to mean something we approve of. That is, it is far preferable to the fascist alternative.
@240252 Decadent is a very decadent word. Modern dictionaries link it with self-indulgence (decadent chocolate, etc.), but it has feasted on irony with a possible risque and/or naughty twist--e.g. cabaret music. And, bien sur, it also is a cousin of rebellion and innovation. A French state of mind, I believe.
Some narrow minded folks will label any form of dissent or non-conformity as 'decadence', if they think it will make other reactionaries disapprove too.
@slessorpr I appreciate you sharing my point of view! I just gave two rather big answers to tanynzh and dzegher about that subject - so please, let me ask you to read them as the comment of mine given also to what you've just written. Thank you!
Yes, "decadence" would have been a pejorative term to describe the freedom of Weimar Republic, but it is used now in defiance of the Nazis who considered it "decadent". Thus we are saying that "Decadence" is a thousand times preferable to Nazi Puritanical values. Anyway, a lovely jumping version of the beloved song and splendid pictures of free-spirited (or decadent) Berlin.
@dzheger Hi D., I just gave my answer to tanynzh. I didn't think that single word would provoke such controversy! I think internaut Memale happens to be a little oversensitive about that issue (as many of my German friends are today) loosing his the Heinean sense of humour and diversity of meanings on behalf of more flat (political) definitions of philosophical or artistical terms. It proves how much our world is being deprived of the sense of irony - what B. just wrote in her message, anyway.
No, we must never allow politically correct censorship to deprive us of the richness and depth that writers, poets and composers bring to our world. Onward and upward!
@demalenpis I absolutely share your point of view. If you are following the development of discussion on the forum, you see what I'd like to say now also to you. Thank you!
@Memale2009 Please, read Isherwood's "Bye Bye Berlin" or see Ingmar Bergman's film "The Serpent's Egg" - and after it and ONLY after it we will be able to continue that discussion about "Berlin decadence" on a desired level of mutual understanding. At that stage, however, and with whole respect to my guests, I decided to erase the word "decadence" from this film's title. The PC censorship and the unbelievable lack of the sense of humour has won. Hurray!
@genia106 Look, what is going on in the forum! I should be thankfut to Memale, though, for having provoked with his attack on my "Berlin Decadence" quite an interesting discussion,which reveals many points of view. Thank you for your immediate friendly reaction and supporting me from the beginning!
Hello Grzegorz - I considered "Cabaret" a super fantastic movie - where Liza Minelli truly deserved her Oscar - Marisa Berenson did not allow herself to be "upstaged" by Minelli's brilliant performance in that movie. As I mentioned to you earlier - I have always loved this tune and most artists - somehow - do a magnificent job of interpreting it. Thanks and have a good weekend!
Danke for this latest version of Bubliczki. You are right: decadence, at least in English, is not necessarily a pejorative term. "Onward and Upward with the Arts" --the name of an ironic feature in the New Yorker magazine. But I fear irony is very much threatened these days. Jonathan Swift, where are you?
@barbcard Dear B., yes, you are perfectly right! Our world is slowly passing away: the world of the multi-meaningful language of irony & wit. Yes, Jonathan Swift would be immediately persecuted by guys like Memale for using "hostile terms" against almost everything! It's better for writers and poets nowadays either to keep their mouths shut or to join the "mainstream choir" of the front page entusiasts of the words-that-mean-nothing though they simply pour out from mouths of politicians or tv.
@tanynzh You should see my elder movies with truly "decadent" vintage shots from gay transvestite and wholly risque in every sense Berlin of the 1920s. Unfortunately, You Tube anti-decadence guards had banned me for inserting them for half a year. The elder frequenters of my site remember the affair. Therefore, it's just a "soft -decadence version" now. Nevertheless, hence it's softness it is still disturbing to some watchers, as we see.
@tanynzh I do not advocate decadence. I just quote the artists. In an artistic sense "decadence" is a decline of every old and rich culture which excesses certain level of its sophistication. It's the moment when barbarians invade. Such situation happened in history many times eg. ancient Rome, or Greece, when classical turned into hellenistic after the Persian invasion. Also, this happened in France before Revolution and certainly, in Berlin in the years of the climax of the Wemar Republic.
@Memale2009 Please don't exaggerate! This is an artistic site! Thru half century he term "decadence" has been used by poets and writers to describe the approaching political horror that stood at the threshold of the multicultural and cosmpololitan atmosphere in Berlin of the turn of 1920/30s. I don't understand how one can have any prejudice about that old term which is so deep and so profounfd in artistic sense. Does the politically correct censorship intend to deprive us of all the words?
flon5flon 1 month ago
There's so much political correctness these days - no need to be oversensitive and we should be grateful language is much richer and offering a lot more nuances and contexts than some crusaders of strict morality are trying to impose.
1920sbuff 1 year ago
sempre musica rara!!!
danilogiotto 1 year ago
Based on the word 'decay', decadence can also mean decomposition as well as degeneration. This was the sort of criticism Hitler levelled at modern artists, who were some of his keenest critics. 'Degenerate' & 'decadent' he called all modern art, which he destroyed with glee. I wd humbly point out that without 'decadent' Bohemia there wd be no avant-garde, & what a dull world that wd be...
slessorpr 1 year ago
I think most of us - native English speakers anyway - would understand "decadence" in this context, to mean something we approve of. That is, it is far preferable to the fascist alternative.
muscleco 1 year ago
@240252 Decadent is a very decadent word. Modern dictionaries link it with self-indulgence (decadent chocolate, etc.), but it has feasted on irony with a possible risque and/or naughty twist--e.g. cabaret music. And, bien sur, it also is a cousin of rebellion and innovation. A French state of mind, I believe.
barbcard 1 year ago
Some narrow minded folks will label any form of dissent or non-conformity as 'decadence', if they think it will make other reactionaries disapprove too.
slessorpr 1 year ago
@slessorpr I appreciate you sharing my point of view! I just gave two rather big answers to tanynzh and dzegher about that subject - so please, let me ask you to read them as the comment of mine given also to what you've just written. Thank you!
240252 1 year ago
Yes, "decadence" would have been a pejorative term to describe the freedom of Weimar Republic, but it is used now in defiance of the Nazis who considered it "decadent". Thus we are saying that "Decadence" is a thousand times preferable to Nazi Puritanical values. Anyway, a lovely jumping version of the beloved song and splendid pictures of free-spirited (or decadent) Berlin.
dzheger 1 year ago
@dzheger Hi D., I just gave my answer to tanynzh. I didn't think that single word would provoke such controversy! I think internaut Memale happens to be a little oversensitive about that issue (as many of my German friends are today) loosing his the Heinean sense of humour and diversity of meanings on behalf of more flat (political) definitions of philosophical or artistical terms. It proves how much our world is being deprived of the sense of irony - what B. just wrote in her message, anyway.
240252 1 year ago
No, we must never allow politically correct censorship to deprive us of the richness and depth that writers, poets and composers bring to our world. Onward and upward!
demalenpis 1 year ago
@demalenpis I absolutely share your point of view. If you are following the development of discussion on the forum, you see what I'd like to say now also to you. Thank you!
240252 1 year ago
Truth is never offensive.
demalenpis 1 year ago
Very nice!
wickirsinn 1 year ago
Comment removed
Memale2009 1 year ago
@Memale2009 Please, read Isherwood's "Bye Bye Berlin" or see Ingmar Bergman's film "The Serpent's Egg" - and after it and ONLY after it we will be able to continue that discussion about "Berlin decadence" on a desired level of mutual understanding. At that stage, however, and with whole respect to my guests, I decided to erase the word "decadence" from this film's title. The PC censorship and the unbelievable lack of the sense of humour has won. Hurray!
240252 1 year ago
I love the expresssion "DIVINE DECADENCE!"
genia106 1 year ago
@genia106 Look, what is going on in the forum! I should be thankfut to Memale, though, for having provoked with his attack on my "Berlin Decadence" quite an interesting discussion,which reveals many points of view. Thank you for your immediate friendly reaction and supporting me from the beginning!
240252 1 year ago
Comment removed
genia106 1 year ago
Hello Grzegorz - I considered "Cabaret" a super fantastic movie - where Liza Minelli truly deserved her Oscar - Marisa Berenson did not allow herself to be "upstaged" by Minelli's brilliant performance in that movie. As I mentioned to you earlier - I have always loved this tune and most artists - somehow - do a magnificent job of interpreting it. Thanks and have a good weekend!
tango3721 1 year ago
Meine Liebling Grzegorz,
I love your DECADENT Bar Hopping Berlin video..
I cannot believe that the word ~DECADENCE~ can offend to such a degree, some people should lighten up and chill out.
Dankeschon.
I love this verson of Bubliczki and the DECADENT shoes at 1:57.
genia106 1 year ago
zawsze mi się podobało to nagranie ;)
XxXEMOBOYx 1 year ago
Danke for this latest version of Bubliczki. You are right: decadence, at least in English, is not necessarily a pejorative term. "Onward and Upward with the Arts" --the name of an ironic feature in the New Yorker magazine. But I fear irony is very much threatened these days. Jonathan Swift, where are you?
barbcard 1 year ago
My Dear Barbara
Jonathan Swift is the new Rachael Rey or the OLD NEW Rachael Rey.
I understand he is the STAR of a new DECADENT cooking show on cable.
genia106 1 year ago
@barbcard Dear B., yes, you are perfectly right! Our world is slowly passing away: the world of the multi-meaningful language of irony & wit. Yes, Jonathan Swift would be immediately persecuted by guys like Memale for using "hostile terms" against almost everything! It's better for writers and poets nowadays either to keep their mouths shut or to join the "mainstream choir" of the front page entusiasts of the words-that-mean-nothing though they simply pour out from mouths of politicians or tv.
240252 1 year ago
Where have you gotten these ''decadent'' pictures>?
tanynzh 1 year ago
@tanynzh You should see my elder movies with truly "decadent" vintage shots from gay transvestite and wholly risque in every sense Berlin of the 1920s. Unfortunately, You Tube anti-decadence guards had banned me for inserting them for half a year. The elder frequenters of my site remember the affair. Therefore, it's just a "soft -decadence version" now. Nevertheless, hence it's softness it is still disturbing to some watchers, as we see.
240252 1 year ago
@240252 Thanks:) Do you adovcate decadence too? What does decadence mean to you? Haha"P
tanynzh 1 year ago
@tanynzh I do not advocate decadence. I just quote the artists. In an artistic sense "decadence" is a decline of every old and rich culture which excesses certain level of its sophistication. It's the moment when barbarians invade. Such situation happened in history many times eg. ancient Rome, or Greece, when classical turned into hellenistic after the Persian invasion. Also, this happened in France before Revolution and certainly, in Berlin in the years of the climax of the Wemar Republic.
240252 1 year ago
Comment removed
Memale2009 1 year ago
@Memale2009 Please don't exaggerate! This is an artistic site! Thru half century he term "decadence" has been used by poets and writers to describe the approaching political horror that stood at the threshold of the multicultural and cosmpololitan atmosphere in Berlin of the turn of 1920/30s. I don't understand how one can have any prejudice about that old term which is so deep and so profounfd in artistic sense. Does the politically correct censorship intend to deprive us of all the words?
240252 1 year ago