Krieewelsche dialect was on the programme at Haus der Seidenkultur (HdS) and dialect expert Heinz Webers (photo) moderated an illustrious evening with talks and music in Low German dialect.
Webers is one of the people in the ‘Town like Silk and Velvet’ who put in a lot of effort to make the dialect respectable enough for society again. “Until the 1960s Low German dialect was regarded as bad taste”, says Webers. And: “Those who spoke dialect were “Pongels” folk!” Laughing he adds: “My first foreign language was therefore German.” 
“Dialect is more affectionate than High German”, says Webers providing the following example: “If I say to a friend: ‘Do böss ene ärme Doll’ then I am indicating to him that he doesn’t comprehend something not in an offensive way but kindly. It simply sounds different if I say to him in High German: You don’t understand.” 
The musical entertainment on the dialect evening at HdS was provided by the “Krieewelsche Fente”, alias Dieter Brendgens and Walter Langer. HdS press spokesperson Dieter Brenner provided a brief guided tour of the former weaving workshop for ecclesiastical textiles.  Afterwards many visitors agreed: “We will definitely come again to enjoy a full tour!“  
The evening literally came to a stirring end with the new Krefeld national hymn “Kiek, dat es Krieewel”.