The Project Proposal

In the summer of 2010, after 388 years of absence, Prince Ernst returns to his Schaumburg country. In period style, with his retinue and train, he takes up quarters in Bückeburg, his old seat of power. From there, he sets off on a more than delicate mission in several stages, namely to restore peace in Schaumburg country, for all over the region public affairs are discussed controversially. Bitter disputes take place between citizens and city councils, street communities and local building authorities, school boards and parents. In some cases the negative effects of traffic are discussed, in others it is the restoration and conversion of old buildings that stir up controversy. In one village a primary school is to be closed, in another the branch post office is to shut for good, and so forth.

Schaumburg is in dire need of an outstanding individual who combines the character of an uninvolved third party with perfect familiarity with the region, which enables him to listen to and see all sides of things, to balance reasons and, ultimately, to reach an amicable settlement between all the contending parties - no doubt, a person in need of the wisdom of Solomon. And who could be more capable and suitable than Prince Ernst of Holstein-Schaumburg, to whom as much reverence was paid shortly after his passing as to wise King Solomon.

Therefore, in the towns and villages all over Schaumburg, citizens' action committees and street communities, corporate sponsors in the field of cultural affairs and local history clubs, culture groups and village communities, conservationists, village councils and municipal administrations are meticulously preparing to raise their specific matters and make their requests before Prince Ernst.

For his Highness himself will travel to various places in Schaumburg in order to listen to his present subjects. He will ask them to dispute their issues, following the rules of decency and fairness. Then, after exhaustive and detailed consultations with his senior staff and close advisers, he will make a final recommendation in favour of or against one of the contending parties. In case of doubt, the Prince may well lay down that there is an ad hoc on-the-spot investigation in order to form an opinion of the specific situation together with all those involved. In the end, the judgement he passes in favour of or against the point at issue will mainly depend on how clearly, vividly, and creatively the appeal has been lodged, or on how elegantly, conclusively, and irrefutably the reply has been made.

In each and every case, Prince Ernst will do his utmost to live up to expectations with regard to his reputation in Schaumburg as a judge of great sagacity and formidable resolution - a 400-year-old allegory of human wisdom. With the Prince - a potentate of flamboyant character - appreciating the sweetness and bright light of public tribute, the court meetings will be staged in big public places in the open air, which is also advisable because all true Schaumburgers and their guests will probably wish to be present wherever the legendary prince holds court. For that reason a prince's advance party will travel from place to place in order to provide canopies, rostrums, stands, tents, flags, and other decorations for His Highness and his entourage. Moreover, all subjects are called upon to give their Prince the warmest welcome anyone could imagine and to provide refreshments and diversion during the pauses in the proceedings.