Ulrich Schaffer is a poet, a photographer and a philosopher. Which of these dominates? Difficult to say, since the Gibsons resident has spent the past 40 years of his career managing to integrate all three in a series of publications that have enjoyed spectacular popularity in Europe. He is bi-lingual and his most recent books by German publishers appear in German and English.
"I feel comfortable in both languages," said Schaffer, whose family moved to Kitimat from Germany when he was 10. He published his first book at the age of 21. "It was a difficult kind of poetry," he said. "My wife urged me to a more simple prose." He studied at universities in Vancouver and Hamburg, then taught literature at Douglas College for 11 years before devoting himself to his own writing.Over the years he has sold an astonishing five million copies and has collected his work in over 150 titles. Surprisingly, although Schaffer has a huge fan base in Europe and visits there regularly to give readings, he is virtually unknown in North America. That will be remedied this Thursday, March 27 when Schaffer gives a presentation at the Gibsons Public Library, the first such reading in his home town.A recent series of books, combining full colour, gorgeous photography and bi-lingual poetry, have appeared under such titles as Schönheit, Beauty, The Language of the Heart (Kreuz Verlag) and Visions, Reflections for a New World (Kreuz Verlag). The photos capture the mystery and awe of landscapes around the world, but since moving to Gibsons 10 years ago, many of Schaffer's photos feature local scenes: the smooth pebbles on Bonniebrook beach, twin bald eagles scowling from a Douglas fir on the bluff, poppies in a field, the silence of Trout Lake.
If we've noticed an increase in German visitors on the Coast, that may have to do with Schaffer. Not only do his publications direct interest to the Sunshine Coast, but he and his wife, Waltraud, sing the praises of their clifftop home. Schaffer designed the home himself for maximum view on a breathtaking location, removing only one of the surrounding trees. He considers himself lucky to live here."It is my work to give beauty a country" he writes in Schönheit, and later in the same book, he tells the reader that he has the good fortune to have a window 3.5 metres wide that looks out over the Strait of Georgia where he can watch the ever changing beauty.
Schaffer frequently takes his Hasselblad camera around the world photographing the red rocks of Utah, the treeless shores of Iceland or a beech tree in the Black Forest. After his trip, he assembles the slides in his home studio, selects those that offer inspiration and then writes the appropriate poem. The photos are printed without the use of PhotoShop or any such program; they are shot in the fine morning light, on film in the traditional way, as is fitting for someone who started their photography career in 1977. Schaffer also determines the art direction in his books, picking shapes and textures from the images, then massaging the text to mirror the images.
As an author, he established a solid readership years ago that he has kept to this day. "My readers are people who are looking for a more meaningful life," he said.
But one thing bothers him - he lives here, has friends here, but almost no one has read his books. "I want to be not such a non person," he laughs.
His poetry reading and discussion takes place at the library at 7 p.m. with selections from Beauty and an older collection, Heartwork. Topics include love and spiritual matters - not about religion, but concerning our need for something that is greater than we are. He describes a typical poetry reading/philosopher's café in Germany as one with a lot of interaction between poet and audience, sparking creative energy, and he hopes for a similar interaction here. The reading is free, but you must register by calling 604-886-2130 as seating is limited.
