Evenings Past 2004 - 2005

Heidelberg
The first meeting of the new academic year was presented by Sabine on the theme of the town and university of Heidelberg. Heidelburg can boast of a long history. The Celts settled in Heidelberg in 450-100 BC on the mountain called Heiligenberg and erected a ring-wall. First mention in the archives was in 1225, as Heidelberch. Kurfürst Reprecht 1 founded the university, after Prague and Vienna, the third in Germany. A rumour has it that during World War Two, Heidelberg was not to be destroyed at the behest of the Americans. Heidelberg also became well known in the film "The Student Prince" with Marlo Lanza. Heidelberg has always attracted tourists. Today these are mostly Americans and Japanese.
Donnerstag 30.September 2004

Hobbies
The last German Circle evening involved hobbies. Firstly, Francis demonstrated egg decorating, in sizes from pigeon to emu eggs. Petra was the next hobby lady . She and her family were lovers of Morris Minors and would not dream of having another car. Doris and Anna were more down to earth, but very tasteful with bringing quinces, letting members taste the jelly. Elizabeth and family had an astounding hobby - steam machines, built in 1913, 14 tonnes and lots of work, a lot of dirt, but a lot of fun. Margaret's hobby is geography. She was a teacher of the subject and she affected many pupils with her enthusiasm. Pat and Robert showed the complicated works of inlaid wooden boxes, which also takes a lot of patience and imagination. John, the travel master, spoke about cricket in Germany. His son works in Berlin, and started a cricket club there, but there are quite a few more in larger cities.
Donnerstag 21.Oktober 2004

Ein Filmabend
John Cleese's German was excellent; not always apt but brought out quite a few chuckles. Apparently well liked in Germany, these two series were shot there, but mainly they are dubbed. In English they seemed rather dated, were funnier in German, most likely it was unexpected and some of the comments were not always at the right moment. But all enjoyed it.
Donnerstag 25.November 2004

Weihnachten wie die Deutschen es feiern
Members had to have their pre-Christmas meeting earlier in the month than normal, so it became a celebration of St Nikolaus, who is a helper of Father Christmas. St Nikolaus day is December 6, and children were a little in awe of him. He tested them in the times tables, some easy spelling, singing a song etc. If the children had been naughty he threatened them with twigs which sported a red bow. On December 2, some of that atmosphere was re-created including the twigs. Some little rhymes were provided and everyone tried to speak as plainly as possible, some said they had been naughty and were waved at with the twig which caused a lot of merriment.
There was, as normal, Glühwein and lots of goodies to consume, songs to sing, and poems to be recited, and decorations were on show as they are in Germany at the time of Advent. The Adventskranz has four candles, the first one of which is lit on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, then the second and so on; friends and family will sit on this day and sing carols; meaning that as the lights are lit, the light comes nearer, culminating in the Christmas tree, the birth of Jesus. Members all felt that even a St Nikolaus celebration was enjoyable and might do it again.

Donnerstag 2. Dezember 2004

Die Wirtschaft
The speaker at the last meeting was Werner Sabler, journalist for German and English newspapers. This time the theme was the economy of the German welfare which was admired by many countries. In the past, when people were out of work, it was not too bad to live on the dole. If you are out of work you will have to take on community work for which you are paid one Euro an hour which is then made up with the help of dole money. You are also only entitled to help if you have paid in to a compulsory state health insurance for four years, and your savings are taken into consideration. When you ask for an appointment with the doctor you now have to pay 10 Euros every three months.. Firms that employ fewer then 20 people are now empowered to reduce their workforce without being penalised.
There were mass demonstrations in east and west Germany by the Socialist party against all these changes. The internal market has folded and there is no confidence in the economic recovery which stands at over 0.75 per cent. Having been the power house of Europe Germans now do not want to deal from the position of a third world country. Herr Schroeder promises "no more cuts". Really? The English economy is growing and Chancellor Brown is admired. The press in Germany is not in favour of a European state, or for that matter, the Euro.

Donnerstag 17. Februar 2005