The German Consulate announced the launch of a new electronic emergency prevention system where German citizens living or working in the U.S. can register. In case of an emergency or crisis situation that requires the consulate to get in touch with German citizens, this system will allow a speedy communication. The German Consulate General  Boston recommends to register with this new service which is free and can be done online. For more information the consulate issued an info sheet or you can check out the consulate's Web site.

The German International School Boston is opening its doors to its After School Program with a special "teaser offer" to students from the German Saturday School:
 
Between Monday, January 19th and Thursday, January 30th, students can participate for free in their After School Program. If students choose to continue with a class, regular enrollment starting February 1st is required. Instructions (with the exception of Taekwondo) are held in German.
To sign up for a class as part of the teaser program or for more information, please contact the Head of the After School Program, Ms. Julia Holt, at julia.holt@gisbos.org or call the main office at (617) 783-2600 and ask for Ulla Hollmann.
 
The following after school activities are currently offered:

The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX), now in its 25th year, is a unique exchange program for American high school students to live in Germany for a year. Hurry up if you're interested: the deadline to apply for the 2009 program (start date July) is December 16, 2008. Applicants have to be between 15 and 18 years old and have to be a U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident. For more details on this program as well as on eligibility, click here. In case you know college students who would be interested, there is also the "older" version of the program, the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals. Application deadline for this program is December 1st, 2008, minimum age is 18-24. Check out the CBYX for Young Professionals info here.
 

It's not too early to make holiday plans! On Tuesday, December 9th at 7.30pm, the famous Wiener Sängerknaben (Vienna Boys Choir) from Austria will visit the Memorial Auditorium in Lynn for a concert featuring contemporary and classic holiday favorites. I couldn't find specifics yet on the songs, but there sure should be a few in German. Learn more about the famous choir here. Tickets for the Lynn event are already on sale through Ticketmaster or visit the Lynn Memorial Auditorium Web site.

On Friday, November 14 at 8PM, Dunja Pechstein (our former music teacher!) will perform at the Goethe-Institut together with soprano Jennifer Ashe. Dunja received her muscial training in Germany and has worked in the U.S. since 1997. She currently teaches the early childhood music program "Musikgarten" in German to families in the greater Boston area. The program on November 8th includes works by Lachenmann, Poppe and Webern (sung by Jennifer Ashe) and a performance of the monodrama "Flower and Hawk" by Carlisle Floyd sung by Dunja. Click for more information here.

The "Deutsche Kinderspielgruppe" and the "Musikgartenkinder" invite everyone to a Laternenumzug on Saturday afternoon, November 15. Meeting place is the Artesani Playground/Spielplatz on the Charles River in Allston (Soldiers Field Road/Everett Street). Use same parking lot as for the Publick Theatre. Meeting time is 4pm, the start for the Laternenlauf is 5pm. Don't forget the lanterns and bring cookies, cake and warm beverages if you can. Flashlights are helpful as well. Songs can be printed from the playgroup's Web site. Rain date is November 16 and will be announced here.

The Coolidge Corner Theater, in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut Boston, is presenting its new fall series of German movies:
Sunday, October 19: "Das Fliehende Pferd" (2007)
Sunday, November 23: "Stille Sehnsucht" (2006)
Sunday, December 21: "Kebab Connection" (2004)
All films are shown in German with English subtitles in the Theatre's Moviehouse 2 at 1pm. Tickets are $5. More information can be found on the The Coolidge Corner Theatre or The Goethe-Institut web sites.

The German International School Boston is gearing up for their traditional "Christkindlmarkt" on Saturday, December 6 from 1pm-5pm! Everyone's invited to enjoy food, baked goods and those who may: even Glühwein ("mulled wine"). There will be games for the kids and performances by the school's choir. The school is located at 57 Holton Street in Allston. There's limited parking at the school - please try Brighton Mills. You can view the official invitation here.

A German Worship Service (Deutscher Weihnachtsgottesdienst) will be held in German at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in North Easton on Sunday, December 28th at 4.30pm. Prior to the service, at 4pm, the minister of music will offer an organ recital with works of Bach, Buxtehude, and Pachelbel. The Reverend Michael Bastian will deliver the sermon and lead through the service which will include traditional German Christmas hymns. Rev. Bastian welcomes all visitors to his church for this special event and invites everyone for fellowship after the service. For more information, you can contact Rev. Bastian directly at (508) 238-6666 or via e-mail.
 
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