50 Years of German Studies at Newcastle University
Celebratory Issue of "German@Newcastle"
This is a short documentation of the 3-day-celebrations of 50 years of German Studies that took place 13 to 15 May 2009. Thanks to everybody who contributed to the success!
Full programm as pdf-file
Wednesday, 13 May 2009 in the Sage Gateshead
2-5pm Event for the Headteachers of the region with the German Consul General Wolfgang Mössinger (Edinburgh). Read more...
The official event was followed by a reception with wine from Baden and Württemberg, sponsored by the Consul General.
From left to right: Wolfgang Mössinger (German Consul General), Josephine Chexal (German Honarary Consul at Newcastle), Dr Elizabeth Andersen (Head of School, Seniro Lecturer in German Studies), Prof. Henrike Lähnemann (Chair of German Studies), Ellen Taraba (DAAD-Lektorin), Dr Beate Müller (Reader in German Studies)
6:30pm Pre-concert talk with Prof. Henrike Lähnemann and Dr Ian Biddle on Mendelssohn's relationship to England and the influence of Shakespeare on German romanticism.
7:30pm Concert of German and Austrian Music
The beautiful incidental music for 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', composed by Mendelssohn under the spell of Shakespeare's work, includes the famous 'Wedding March' and continues celebrations of the two hundredth anniversary of the composer's birth. This work is preceded by Tchaikovsky's brilliant Violin Concerto and the enchanting overture to Mozart's 'The Magic Flute'.
The Austrian Musical Director Thomas Zehetmair conducted the concert, and was the soloist in the Violin Concerto.
Thursday, 14 May 2009 in the Old Library Building
3:30pm Guided tour through the exhibition "Friedliche Revolution und Deutsche Einheit" in the OAC by Dr Beate Müller
Twenty years ago, on 9 November 1989, the Wall separating the two German states came down. This paved the way for German unification, which took place on 3 November 1990. Forty years after the division of the German Reich into two German states, Germany became a unified nation again. The "Stiftung Aufarbeitung", a federal trust which supports a wide range of activities to study the legacy of socialist Germany, asked German students to design stamps which commemorate the events of 1989/90. The best submissions were collated and now form a poster exhibition on Germany's peaceful revolution and subsequent unification.
Read more in "German@Newcastle"
5pm Public Lecture by Prof. Frank Finlay (Leeds University, Alumnus of Newcastle): What's Kate got to do with it? Mapping the Literary Landscape of the 'New' Germany in the Research Beehive, 2.21
A lively and accessible guide to some of the main developments in German fiction of the past two decades. Against the background of cultural debates since Unification, the particular focus of the lecture is on the attempts by a new generation of German writers to produce novels which are more 'popular' and 'international' than those of established predecessors.
7pm German Dinner in the Courtyard Restaurant
Speisekarte
Vorspeise: Zwiebelkuchen mit Salat
Hauptgericht: Kasseler mit Reibekuchen und Sauerkraut
Nachtisch: Apfelstrudel, Schwarzwälderkirschtorte, Quarkspeise
Marzipanbrot und Kaffee aus fairem Handel
Friday, 15 May 2009 in the Hatton Gallery
2-5pm Workshop 'Dada in Action' in front of the Merz Barn
Use the opportunity to experience, perform and listen to German poetry in front of Kurt Schwitter's "Merzbarn". Come to the workshop with Dr. Angelika Overath (Writer in Residence) and Prof. Henrike Lähnemann (Head of German, School of Modern Languages, Newcastle University) which will combine interpreting Kurt Schwitter's dadaistic poems, creative writing and performing poetry.
7pm Reception and Reading:
Dr. Angelika Overath who worked twice as Writer in Residence with students from Newcastle, will give the first public reading from her new novel 'Flughafenfische' on 15 May 2009. Take a look at the preview of a chapter, write a comment and receive a free copy of the book!
We wrote: Everybody welcome to join in the 3-day-programme of festive events! We would be particularly pleased to hear from alumni, former members of staff and anybody with a connection to German Studies at Newcastle. If you are interested in participating in any of the events on Thursday or Friday, please fill in the response form. We have also negotiated discount rates at a range of hotels on your behalf. To book simply click on the hospitality link or call 01429 839288 or e-mail the hospitality service.
And we would still be interested to hear from anybody who studied / worked / had relations to German Studies at Newcastle! The memories-page is growing...
Exhibitions
30 April - 14 May 2009 in the Open Access Centre (Old Library Building)
"Friedliche Revolution und Deutsche Einheit" (Peaceful Revolution: 20 years of German Unity)
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