Page 23

-  22
participating. In the course of the festival more than 1,500,000
youngsters, in spite of discouragement of all sorts, crosseu the sec-
toral--borders and more than 1,000 of them visited RIAS to-tell of their
needs and ask for advice and assistance. They were received and enter-
tained in the largest RIAS studio and enthusiastically listened to
popular RIAS programs and dance music of the blest , forbidden in the
Soviet Zone. The youngsters also had the opportunity to listen to,$ meet,
and ask questions of Mr. John J. McClo', US High Comnmrissioner, Dr. Kurt
Schumacher, Chairman of the SPD, Jakob Kaiser, Federal Minister for
All-German Affairs- and many other political personalities.
A 17-year-old FDJ member best summed up the feelings of the
visitors in stating "Here in this radio station we are really human
beings. hiere we can say what we think and not what has been hammered
into us in our zone!"
of BIAS Youth Broadcasts
In February, 1952, the Central Council of the FDJ became aware
of a growing apathy and lethargy in the ranks of its followers caused
by an overconcentration on political indoctrination and training. In
order to stimulate FDJ members and instil them with new spirit, the
Central Council called for criticism and self-criticism and, after
purges of some functionaries, proceeded to announce publicly the new-
slogan of "'joyful youth activities" with programs of sports, games
and dancing. Iotwithstanding this announcement, political indoctri-
nation continued to take up the major part of the FDJ programs.
RIAS then picked up the sl6gan of "'joyful youth activities"
in five broadcasts directed to Soviet Zone youth, suggesting that
only such chairmen be elected locally as would implement programs
of sports, games and dancing.
"If the Central Council (of the FDJ) in its criticism talks
of ever decreasing basic units, it confirms the possi-
bilities which you have been able to realize following
the Youth Festival. And- if the council now publicly de-
mands the introduction of the 'joyful youth activities'
- 25 -