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!
Christmas the German Way by John Clarke Germans know how to celebrate Christmas. Queen Victoria’s German born husband Prince Albert introduced the Christmas tree into England. There are so many Christmas carols and songs that originated in Germany. And for tourists in Europe in late autumn and winter the German Christmas markets are an irresistible… Continue reading Recap: Kaffee und Kuchen November 2024
Playgroup Affiliates with Children’s University by John Clarke Spielgruppe (Playgroup) and Kinder Klub (Children’s Club), conducted by the Barossa German Language Association, have extended their range of activities through affiliation with the Children’s University. Begun in Great Britain, the Children’s University concept has spread through many parts of the world. Its aim is to encourage… Continue reading What is the Children’s University?
The Swiss Connectionby John Clarke What do Australians know about Switzerland? Fine chocolates are made there. There are mountains and snow. They speak three languages – French, German and Italian – and they avoid international conflicts. Their hero is a crossbowman who once shot an apple off his son’s head. At the last meeting of… Continue reading Recap: Kaffee und Kuchen October 2024
The Lot of the Family Historian by John Clarke The family historian’s lot is to conduct research, gather information and put it in order. The lot of the family historian’s family, if the family historian dies before putting the information acquired in order (which is quite often the case), is to decide what to do… Continue reading Recap: Kaffee und Kuchen September 2024
