Fifteen-year veteran of FriiskFunk is highlighted.
In the heart of Schleswig-Holstein, a unique radio program has been making waves for over a decade, keeping the Frisian language alive and thriving in people's consciousness. FriiskFunk, a treasure trove of Frisian language and lived culture, has been broadcasting daily since 2007.
FriiskFunk, initially an experiment launched in September 2010, has grown to become a significant driving force for the Frisian language, participation, and identity in the region. The program is now audible throughout the West Coast, thanks to the support of numerous organisations, including the Friesenrat (Section North), the Ferring Foundation, the Open Channel Schleswig-Holstein, and the NDR.
The minister of Education in Schleswig-Holstein, Dorit Stenke, considers FriiskFunk a "great treasure for the linguistic diversity" in the region. Minister Stenke emphasises the need to present the Frisian language with a journalistic claim on the internet, and she acknowledges FriiskFunk's role in achieving this goal.
Henning Fietze, director of the Open Channel Schleswig-Holstein, values FriiskFunk for its focus on the everyday lives of Friesland's people. Heike Volkerts, Kerrin Ketels, and Maike Arfsten-Jürgensen, the program's dedicated presenters, ensure that FriiskFunk is not just about folklore but about reporting on what moves the people of Friesland in their language.
The publisher of the website where FriiskFunk broadcasts its programs digitally is Kulturkreis Leinfelden-Echterdingen e.V. The challenges of playing digital media more strongly and maintaining a high-quality journalistic approach are acknowledged, but the importance of FriiskFunk's role in promoting and preserving linguistic diversity outweighs these challenges.
FriiskFunk combines Frisian language and lived culture, making it a symbol of cultural, linguistic, and dialectal diversity. Robert Kleih, chairman of the Ferring Foundation, shares this sentiment, viewing FriiskFunk as a symbol of the region's rich cultural heritage.
Approximately 3,750 broadcasts and around 6,750 broadcast hours of FriiskFunk have been produced, a testament to the program's enduring appeal and relevance. The anniversary celebration for FriiskFunk was held in the Ferring Foundation, attended by numerous guests, who gathered to celebrate the program's achievements and express their support for its continued development into digital media.
FriiskFunk remains a beacon of hope for those who wish to see the Frisian language flourish, and its importance extends beyond the borders of Schleswig-Holstein. The minister considers FriiskFunk essential for keeping the Frisian language alive in people's consciousness, and the program continues to engage and represent the Frisian community with dedication and passion.
