Bringing Light into a Dark World by John Clarke Many countries around the world have traditions associated with Winter, most often centring on fire and light. The ancient Persians and the Norsemen built bonfires; the English and Scots burned their Yule log. In Germany there is the lantern walk (Laternenlauf). Its history is uncertain, but… Continue reading Laternenfest 24th July
by John Clarke Decision and Vision John Geber first saw Château Tanunda while cycling in the Barossa Valley. The next day he bought it. John Geber was the guest speaker at the last meeting of the German speaking group Kaffee und Kuchen. He spoke of his background, his career, his move to the Barossa and… Continue reading Kaffee und Kuchen June with John Geber
by John Clarke There are many festivals and celebrations in Germany, but one that is particularly connected with children is the Laternenlauf (lantern walk). On 11 November (St Martin’s Day), in the depths of Winter, children gather to make lanterns, which they then light and carry, singing lantern songs, through the darkness: Laterne, Laterne, Sonne,… Continue reading An Old German Tradition in a New Setting
Before the South Australian government in 1917 closed 47 schools in the Barossa Valley, the common practice in those schools was to teach lessons in German in the morning and English in the afternoon. The decision to close the schools was not on educational grounds, but on political. The slaughter of young men in World… Continue reading Public Meeting in August: Is it Time for the Return of Bilingual Teaching?
KinderKlub Barossa – our German class for kids KinderKlub is a fun German class for primary school aged kids with an interest in the German language and culture, organised by the Barossa German Language Association (BGLA). It is the ideal environment for young Barossans to get in touch with their German heritage, for resident… Continue reading KinderKlub Barossa – our German class for kids
The winter 2021 edition Das Blatt is available now. Thank you Gerlinde and Sarah for putting together the German and English newsletter of the Barossa German Language Association.
We are inviting our Barossa German friends to come along to the Langmeil Centre in Tanunda for an afternoon of German talk, coffee and cake and a presentation of a guest speaker. New members and visitors are always welcome. Our guest speaker in June will be John Geber, proprietor of Chateau Tanunda. John is talking… Continue reading Kaffee und Kuchen June 2021
Celebrating the skills of our German ancestors by John Clarke It is a common perception that the Germans who emigrated to South Australia between 1838 and 1866 were peasants of farming stock who had made the dangerous sea voyage to escape religious persecution. While that description fits many who in 1838 followed Pastor August Kavel… Continue reading History seminar great success
We are inviting our Barossa German friends to come along to the Langmeil Centre in Tanunda for an afternoon of German talk, coffee and cake and a presentation of our guest speaker. In May we welcome Ally and Dieter Hauptmann for a lighthearted introduction to the balalaika and Russian Folk music. New members and visitors… Continue reading Kaffee und Kuchen May 2021
The Barossa German Language Association Inc. invites you to their annual Barossa Lantern walk (Laternenlauf in German) – a favourite German family tradition. The after dark family event will be held on Saturday the 24th of July 2021 in Nuriootpa. The idea is that the German speaking community celebrates this as a cultural family event and everyone… Continue reading Barossa Lantern Walk 2021