Der Eisblumenwald

Libretto by Jörg Arnecke after Jörg Steiner's novel (G)

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Princess Salicha of Amun is sad, because the desert is expanding and all the plants are withering. The young Samir has an idea. He has observed how ice cubes slowly melt and become flowing water. For that reason, he will now fetch an iceberg from the South Pole and bring it in tow over the ocean and into the desert, so that the land again becomes fertile. Salicha is elated. After her father, the king, has his learned men make the necessary calculations, the princess and Samir can embark with all kinds of baggage and with presents for the King of the South Pole. The long journey does not proceed without conflict, and in the approach to the South Pole danger threatens: frost flowers appear on board in all colors of the rainbow. The icy ship threatens to become unmaneuverable and to collide with a block of ice. Fortunately, the storyteller has a flying carpet with which he brings the passengers onto land.
King Lars of the South Pole amicably welcomes the travelers. He wants to establish diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Amun, and allows the transportation of the iceberg. However, other hindrances arise. Ropes break, the bitter cold makes everything difficult, and when one finally reaches the open see, a hurricane rages. Utimately, the wind blows the ship in the direction of home. But how can one bring the precious freight out of the water and onto land? Again, the flying carpet offers itself for transportation. Sources and streams come into existence in Amun, and hundreds of acacias, palms, and eucalyptus trees grow, and Salicha and Samir move together into a new home.