Kein schöner Land (TV series)

Kein schöner Land was initiated by Hans-Bernhard Theopold [de], head of the department entertainment at the SR. It was presented by Kammersänger Günter Wewel, who also regularly performed songs. ^[1] His wife was often present, in the audience or in minor roles, without being mentioned. The series ran in episodes of 45 minutes, aired by ARD from 1989 to 2007 in evening programs, at different intervals.^[2][3]

Each episode of the broadcasts of 45 minutes presented a region or town or tour in Germany or Europe, with the key topic music from the locality filmed there, and touching themes such as landscape, culture, crafts, traditions and cuisine. The series is named after the popular song "Kein schöner Land in dieser Zeit" (No land more beautiful). The music was often performed by local musicians or ensembles, such as the Neue Rheingauer Kantorei in the episode about the Rheingau.^[4] It covered a broad range of styles from Volkslied to popular classical music, sometimes including artists known beyond the region. The series also worked as tourist advertisement, showing tourist organisations with thanks in the closing credits.^[2]

The ARD began the series on Thursdays after 9pm, first on 12 January 1989. Later, it was changed to monthly airing on Mondays at 8:15pm. From 2003, it was aired only during the sommer months. In 2007, when it was terminated, cultural programs began to repeat episodes, especially Hessische Rundfunk and the Südwestrundfunk.^[2] Many of the more than 150 episodes are available on VHS and DVD.

Episodes were filmed, among others, in:^[2]

Routes of tours include:^[2]