A New Tradition Flourishing by John Clarke While the early German settlers in the Barossa Valley brought with them many of the customs of their homeland, they did not continue the age old practice of the Laternenlauf (Lantern Walk). The Lantern Walk was especially popular with children, who carried bright, shining lanterns through the dark… Continue reading Laternenlauf 2025: John’s article
Solving Problems, Clearing Mysteries by John Clarke What do you do when about to enter the German Autobahn you hear a crash, a loud scraping, and your hire car grinds to a halt? At the last meeting of the German speaking group the guest speaker was John Strehlow. An author, playwright and highly successful stage… Continue reading Recap: July Kaffee und Kuchen
We are pleased to bring you the Winter edition of Das Blatt. We thank everyone who provided content for their contribution to making this edition possible. A big thank you to John for most of the articles and photos; Gerlinde for her input, translating and editing; Sarah in Denmark for her publishing skills and Anne for… Continue reading Das Blatt Winter 2025
Leaving the Familiar by John Clarke It is easy to relax into a routine and dwell in the comfort of the home environment, but new experiences need to be embraced, especially by the young. The guest speaker at the recent Kaffee und Kuchen meeting was Chelsey Start. Last year Chelsey had accompanied a group of… Continue reading Recap: June Kaffee und Kuchen
by John Clarke 175 Years of Song in the Valley The first reference to the Tanunda Liedertafel appeared in The South Australian newspaper on 10 January, 1851, indicating the formation of the all male choir took place in the previous year. At the last meeting of the German speaking group Kaffee und Kuchen the guest… Continue reading Recap: Kaffee und Kuchen May 2025
Join us for BGLA Kaffee und Kuchen with guest speaker Chelsea Schilling When: Monday 30th June 2025, 1pm – 3pmWhere: Langmeil Lutheran Church hall, 5-7 Maria St, Tanunda Chelsea Schilling Chelsea graduated with German from Faith Lutheran College, Tanunda. She visited friends and travelled in Germany in 2024. Chelsea will tell us about her experiences and travel in Germany.… Continue reading Kaffee und Kuchen June 2025
The past is not forgottenby John Clarke May is History Month, and the Barossa German Language Association, together with theGerman Heritage Group and Friends of the Lutheran Archives, presented the annualseminar day at the Langmeil Centre, this year entitled Finders, Keepers, Storytellers:Exploring SA German Histories. The past is in our memories. It’s in the landscape.… Continue reading Recap: History Seminar Day May 2025
Save the date, 9th August, for the 2025 Barossa Lantern Walk, a favourite family event. The Laternenlauf is a much-loved German tradition linked to St. Martin, a soldier who shared his cloak with a beggar. Get your lanterns ready and join us for a walk around Nuriootpa footie oval while singing traditional German lantern songs.… Continue reading Laternenlauf (Lantern Walk) 2025
by John Clarke Experience and Passion What qualities should a teacher possess? For Christiane Patzwald, the newly appointed Principal of The German School of Language in Adelaide, the answer would most surely be experience and passion.Christiane Patzwald was the guest presenter at the recent meeting of the German speaking group Kaffee und Kuchen. In her… Continue reading Recap: Kaffee und Kuchen April 2025
Finders, Keepers, Storytellers: Exploring SA German Histories A restored cottage, recorded songs, recipes, baptism, business, naturalisation, wills, a lost village, a shattered tombstone, state or local archives, private or community initiatives, including the Bethany app, Hills Local Wiki and Wendish Trail. Gather, hold, show, share, and tell diverse stories and preserve our heritage. Lunch included.… Continue reading History Festival Seminar, Saturday 10th May