Namibia to China and Beyond By John Clarke And beyond to Adelaide.Alina Bergkemper was the guest speaker at the latest meeting of the German speaking group Kaffee und Kuchen. Alina’s educational journey began after she graduated from the University of Bielefeld Langenberg in Germany. A teacher of English and German as a Second or Foreign… Continue reading Recap: Kaffee und Kuchen July 2026
What a night! By John Clarke What a night for a walk! Rain, mist, no moon, no stars, puddles. It was not the best night for the Barossa German Language Association’s annual Lantern Walk. The Lantern Walk (Laternenlauf) is a German tradition, dating back to prehistoric times when it would have coincided with the winter… Continue reading Recap: Laternenlauf
Beginnings from Endings by John Clarke When confused and angry men were marched by soldiers with fixed bayonets into a barbed wire compound, it must have felt like the end. The guest speaker at the last meeting of the German speaking group Kaffee und Kuchen was Dr Aaron Humphrey, lecturer in Media at Adelaide University.… Continue reading Recap: Kaffee und Kuchen May 2026
It’s No Picnic by John Clarke While on an outing with her children Marlene Thurlow’s grandmother was asked: “Are they all yours, or are you on a picnic?” To which Mrs Modra replied: “They’re all mine, and believe me, it’s no picnic.” Marlene was one of the speakers at the History Festival Seminar Day, held… Continue reading Recap: German History Seminar
The last meeting of the German speaking group Kaffee und Kuchen took place on Monday, 23 February, the first day of Basel’s annual carnival, known as Fasnacht, and the guest speaker was Basel resident Michèle Rahaman-Monnier and her topic Fasnacht.
A Necessary Myth?by John Clarke In defeat does there need to be a victory, some person or event that can be held up as a symbol of national pride? Anzac Cove was the site of an Australian military failure, but the Anzacs have become a symbol of national fortitude and courage. At the October meetingthe… Continue reading Recap: Kaffee und Kuchen October 2025
Does That Sound Right? by John Clarke Using a foreign language can be difficult. Once, in describing a charity event,The Advertiser gave the article the headline Giftfest in the Barossa, not knowing that the German word Gift means poison. At the last meeting of the German speaking group Kaffee und Kuchen the guest speaker was… Continue reading Recap: September Kaffee und Kuchen
Around Germany in Musicby John Clarke At the Barossa Konzert the audience was taken on a musical journey around Germany. The Barossa Konzert, arranged by the Barossa German Language Association for Adelaide German Week (the only event outside of the Adelaide region), featured the Tanunda Liedertafel and the Barossa Trio – Sarah Afshin Pour (piano),… Continue reading Barossa Konzert – Highlights
Calling Australia Home by John Clarke The post World War II years saw many thousands leave the devastation of Europe for a new home in far distant Australia. At the last meeting of the German speaking group Kaffee und Kuchen Steffi Traeger spoke of her own experience as a five year old, coming to a… Continue reading Recap: August Kaffee und Kuchen
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