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
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
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
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
Kingdom of the Naked and Starving by John Clarke That is the description that Bert Stock, the guest speaker at the last meeting of Kaffee undKuchen, gave of the land of his ancestors. Bert was a CSIRO engineer, who in hisretirement has researched the history of German settlement in Adelaide and the AdelaideHills, and most… Continue reading Recap: Kaffee und Kuchen March 2025
By John Clarke Bringing the Dead to Life For many people today family history has become an obsession. At the last meeting of the German speaking group Kaffee und Kuchen I spoke about my approach to family history. My talk was entitled Living Ancestors. I began by giving my definition of History: fact and speculation.… Continue reading Recap: Kaffee und Kuchen February 2025
When: Monday 24 February 2025, 1 – 3pmWhere: Langmeil Lutheran Church hall, 5-7 Maria St, Tanunda John Clarke will be our speaker and he told us that his presentation “Living Ancestors: my approach to family history” will be in English. Born in Henley Beach, John holds a Master of Arts from the University of Adelaide,… Continue reading Kaffee und Kuchen Februar ’25
The new year is here, and we’re excited to share some of the wonderful activities planned for 2025! Mark your calendars and join us for a year filled with language, culture, and community. Upcoming Events & Activities German Classes Resume Kaffee und Kuchen Looking Ahead – Save the Dates! We have plenty more planned for… Continue reading Herzlich Willkommen – A Warm Welcome to the BGLA in 2025!