Germany's Foreign Minister, Guide Westerwelle, is making it his personal mission to promote the learning of the German language. Although it doesn't look like he will increase the budget on German language education and cultural projects, he may inject some welcome enthusiasm into the existing promotion of learning German. You can read about his efforts (and reasoning behind his campaign) in this recent Associated Press story from February 25, 2010.
 

The deadline to submit an application for AATG's Summer Study Program is coming up (March 1). This is a program for High School students to spend 3 weeks in Germany during the summer studying language and experiencing the culture. This program has been offered for many years. To learn more about dates, costs, location and to download an application, click here or visit www.aatg.org.
 

The German International School Boston (GISB) informed us that their Open House has been rescheduled to Wednesday, February 24th due to inclement weather. Also, there are open slots for students of the German Saturday School at the GISB's After School Program (February - June).

This announcement came in this week from our friends at the BSV:
 
"Would you like to enjoy going to events that have dancing?  Would you like to learn how to dance or improve your skills?  Want to dance at the next event?  Learn Ballroom Dancing at the Boylston Schul-Verein with a professional dance instructor.
 

 If you are looking for holiday events in the Boston area with a German cultural or language theme, I have gathered a few here: 
 

• The Boylston Schul-Verein is hosting a star studded "Live Weihnachts Show" on December 5 and the Sängerchor is performing two holiday concerts: December 20 (in Walpole) and on January 3 (in Boston). 
• Baroque music enthusiasts may enjoy the Christmas Cantatas by Briegel and Graupner performed by the local vocal ensemble Exsultemus on December 6 in Boston.
• The Goethe-Society will host an Advent and Christmas Party on Sunday, December 13 at 2pm at the Goethe-Institut in Boston. For more information or to RSVP, contact Brigitte Henkes at (617) 522-0713 or henkes1@shore.net. 

 
Do you know of other events? Please send them along to us and we'll post it.

Conclude our school's Nikolausfeier on December 5 with a visit to our friends at the German International School in Allston where the traditional "Christkindlmarkt" takes place from 12 to 5pm! There's always plenty of German food, delicious baked goods and even Glühwein on the menu, as well as activities for the kids and some shopping for holiday gifts and crafts. View their invitation and directions to the German International School here. 

There are two upcoming events by BU's Institute for Human Sciences that feature German speakers and might be of interest to you:
 

Are you LinkedIn? If so, you may want to check out the newly created "Boston German Saturday School Community" group - a group founded by parents and for parents of students at our school. It's a great virtual place to network outside of school and to share ideas, tips and send off questions.  Go to LinkedIn, send a request to join and you can be part of it!

Do you have travel plans or are picking up visitors from Logan Airport? If you happen to be at Terminal E in November, make sure to look out for a special German exhibit "Berlin - City of Change" which will be on display between October 29 and November 11.  The exhibit is part of the beBerlin capital city campaign which is traveling the world.

Ralf Gawlick, German composer and professor at Boston College, contacted us to let us know about the screening of a new documentary about the Berlin Wall on Sunday, October 11 at 4.30pm at the Museum of Fine Arts in the Remis Auditorium. Gawlick composed the music for this film that commemorates the Berlin Wall on the eve of the 20th anniversary of its fall. Click here to view the announcement of the documentary.