HOW SWEET! THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

A BAG OF CANDY IS SUPPOSED TO EASE THEIR WAY INTO THE SERIOUS SIDE OF LIFE. FOR SOME CHILDREN, IT’S FOOD FOR THOUGHT. 100 YEARS OF PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION.

The so-called “school cone” was so big, it was as tall as the little boy himself—and the ribbon it was tied with blocked his view. Stumbling along, he ripped open the pointed end of the bag and treasure spilled out onto the pavement: The boy stood up to his ankles “in candies, chocolates, dates, Easter bunnies, figs, oranges, tarts, waffles and marzipan.” The little boy’s name was Erich Kästner, and he grew up to become a famous author. That morning in Dresden in 1906 was his first day at school: an occasion marked in Germany by a “sweet” custom. To ease their way into the serious side of life, in addition to a school bag children are also given a great cone of paper and cardboard filled with tasty presents, the “school cone.”

The shape has not changed in the past two hundred years, but the size and contents certainly have. Long ago, candies and fruit were soon joined by more practical items, like aprons for the girls or the laptop of its day, a small slate complete with sponge and pencil. Children from poor families found the cone stuffed half full of newspaper, because there wasn’t enough money to fill it with treats. It’s not unusual for today’s children to find a mobile phone or a computer game hidden among the jellybeans, set square and thermos.

And of course there always has to be a photo, taken by parents who on this day share the same mixed emotions that the camera so often catches on their children’s faces: delight, pride, and sometimes a bit of anxiety.

Text: Paul Lampe
Bilfinger Berger Magazine 1/2011