German House celebrates 10th anniversary

Thu, September 17, 2009 |

Valparaiso University's Kade-Duesenberg German House and Cultural Center is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year as a center for promoting the study and appreciation of German culture on campus and in the community.

Valpo sophomore, junior and senior students who live in Kade-Duesenberg German House are immersed in the German language and culture, doing chores, preparing meals, sharing experiences and studying together while also making a commitment to speak German while in the facility.

"The fact that we have this facility shows the University's commitment to internationalization, and to German language and culture," said Dr. Sarah DeMaris, professor of German and director of the Kade-Duesenberg German House. "German is very important at Valpo because of our historic ties to the Lutheran church and its German roots. Valpo was founded by Lutherans and we continue to have many Lutheran students with German heritage."

Dr. DeMaris says that as a result of the success of the Kade-Duesenberg German House, both French and Spanish language immersion houses have been founded on campus in recent years.

Currently, 13 students reside in Kade-Duesenberg German House, with the first floor serving as a cultural center and the second floor as a residence hall. Students say the experience helps them prepare for their study abroad programs, and also aids in their transition after their return from studying abroad in Germany.

Valpo senior Sam Grossnickle, a Valparaiso native, has lived in the house for the past two years and said being immersed in the German language has been valuable.

"It's been nice to have one foot on campus and one in another culture, a place to concentrate on your German in daily conversations," said Grossnickle. "It's like a world unto itself."

Many students who have lived in the German house have gone on to work in Germany in various roles or to work for German companies with offices here in the U.S.

As part of the 10th anniversary celebration, Kade-Duesenberg German House will host a Berlin Wall Film Festival, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The film screenings will be on Fridays at 6:30 p.m., and include:

-Sept. 25, "The Wall: the Making and the Breaking of the Berlin Wall," a British television documentary with historic footage from 1945 to 1990 that explains the Berlin Wall's place in history. Sept. 25



-Oct. 2, "Der geteilte Himmel" (The Divided Heaven), an East German film telling the story of a romance between a young engineer and a student, and the conflict between going west for economic opportunity or remaining in the east to participate in the new social and economic order.



-Oct. 30, "Das Versprechen" (The Promise), a romance in which a couple plans an escape to West Germany, but are separated in their attempt before being reunited 28 years later after the fall of the Berlin Wall.



During this year's Homecoming festivities, Valpo's German Club will sponsor "Oktoberfest," including a fun station for children (das Kinder-Eck), with flag coloring, ring-toss, and other Berlin Wall-themed activities, Oct. 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A long-standing Valpo tradition will take place on Feb. 12, as "Fastnachtsfeier" (Germany's Mardi Gras celebration) will bring music and dancing, led by Jay Fox and the Bavarian Showtime Band, to Harre Union (http://www.valpo.edu/union)Ballroom from 9 p.m. to midnight.

In the spring, Valpo's seventh annual "Theaterfest" will feature a gathering of more than 100 high school German students from the area, hosted by Valpo students enrolled in the German Drama Practicum. "Theaterfest" will take place April 7 at Valpo's Center for the Arts.

Valpo also is continuing to host Kaffeestunde coffee hours at Kade-Duesenberg German House on Fridays throughout the academic year. Kaffeestundes are held from 4 to 5 p.m. and are open to the public.

More information about Kade-Duesenberg German House and Cultural Center and about German programs at Valpo is available online at http://www.valpo.edu/germanhouse.