German National Day

Germany’s celebration of the 24th National Day is underway!

Every year the official celebration of the “Tag der deutschen Einheit” on October 3rd is hosted by one of the 16 German federal states. Traditionally that particular state’s capital organizes a “Bürgerfest” ( a party for the citizens). This ”Deutschlandfest” as it is called offers a variety of entertainment but most importantly introduces and showcases every federal state of Germany on its “Ländermeile” ( “Federal States Mile”).

This year Hanover in the Lower Saxony state is ‘putting on the party’, and it will start tomorrow, Oct. 2nd lasting until Oct. 3rd!

What had happened in History:

25 years ago courageous citizens from Leipzig, East Berlin and many other cities of previous East Germany (GDR) demonstrated for their freedom and their rights. All throughout the year of 1989 a wave of protest against the SED (Socialistic Unity Party) regime was rising until finally the long-awaited day arrived, and the Berlin Wall came down. This historically important day was the 9th of November 1989, and Willy Brandt then said “ Now comes together what belongs together”! (excerpts taken of Ministerpräsident Weil’s ‘Welcome‘)

The two “Germanys” growing together turned out not to be as easy as initially perhaps anticipated, and it took a while before East and West Germans would consider themselves to be the people of one nation again. Even though the sincere wish was there, it took several years and a lot of work before the two “Germanys” would become one once more.

Today, 25 years later, we can say that most Germans feel like belonging to one nation again. Throughout the weeks of this year’s Soccer World Cup the world could see a collective German spirit rejoicing or recoiling during the German National Team’s games. The final winning of the Cup was an event that all Germans could proudly embrace and celebrate together. It was an event that made Germans in all parts of the country – whether from former East or former West – see themselves as one nation celebrating together in unity.

Photo Source: www.Tag-der-deutschen-Einheit.de

A Day of Many Celebrations at the Alpine Village in Los Angeles – October 5, 2014

The German-American League’s 2014 celebration under the auspices of the Consulate General of Germany is bigger than ever. Add a Soccer World Championship for Germany, along with the 25th anniversary celebration of the fall of the Berlin Wall, and a bit of Oktoberfest to existing German National Day celebrations and you have a party of immense proportions.

On October 5, 2014, join the German-American League at Alpine Village in Torrance, starting at 11 am through 6 pm, to hear German music live both Oompah and Rock, savor traditional and contemporary German food, follow it with legendary German beers, see authentic folk dances, learn about the Karneval (German Mardi Gras) traditions, visit exhibits about German history in the US, experience the history of the infamous Berlin Wall, watch screenings of Oscar nominated German short films, observe the Heritage Queen selection, all mixed with a healthy dose of Oktoberfest, and activities and games for the children. Stay late and catch the “After Party” celebration that will extend late into the night inside the Alpine Inn.

German-American Heritage Day is the perfect time and place to explore German-American history and to discover German contributions to US history. From the traditional celebration in the big Oktoberfest tent with folk dancing and German songs to exhibits about German participation in the U.S. Civil war and the first German Clubs in Los Angeles in the year 1859, to the joyous celebration of Karneval, the German version of Mardi Gras with a display of original costumes and masks from different parts of Germany. Games and fun for the kids are provided in a play area with face painting, Clowns, Games, and many other activities.

The culinary approach is also interesting: German-American Heritage Day is a treat for the palate as well. Alpine Village will prepare traditional and contemporary German food which includes the famous Germanized Turkish specialty “Döner Kebab“ and the “Currywurst” which have a similar status in Germany as the hamburger has in the US. The German Heritage Day will also introduce you to Oscar nominated German Short films that reflect contemporary German culture. The selection of the Heritage Queen, who reigns similar to the May Queen, or Oktoberfest Queen over the event, and a Raffle are also on the program.

There will be lots of fun and dancing in the big tent and also in the Alpine Inn Restaurant, when Iron Butterfly-Keyboarder Martin Gerschwitz, who also toured for many years with Eric Burdon of Animals fame, Meat Loaf and Lita Ford, will introduce original songs, and team up with the Fabulous Bluebirds to play some songs of Iron Butterfly, Burdon, and other classic rockers. The 1960’s mega hit “In A Gadda Da Vida” is rumored to be on the playlist already… More information about the program: www.GermanDayLA.com

The influence of German culture on Mexican and Latin American culture is also undeniable. Norteño music, and several other styles, are close relatives of the Oompah music, Polka and Waltz, played at German Heritage Day and at Oktoberfest celebrations around the country. And the best beers that are brewed from Mexico to South America are based on German beer recipes and the craft of German brewers that immigrated to those countries.

The German-American Heritage Day is celebrated under the patronage of the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany and supported by the Goethe Institut, the German-American Heritage Museum, the law firm of Fredricks & von der Horst, and by its host, Alpine Village.

German American Heritage Day in Los Angeles is an annual combined celebration of the re-unification of Germany, which Germany celebrates on October 3rd, and the American holiday “German-American Day” which is observed annually on October 6. German-American Day celebrates German American heritage, commemorates the date in 1683 when thirteen German families from Krefeld in the Rhineland landed in Philadelphia. These families subsequently founded Germantown, Pennsylvania, the first German settlement in the original thirteen American colonies. Originally celebrated in the nineteenth century, German-American Day died out in World War I. The holiday was revived in 1983 when President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October 6 as German-American Day to celebrate and honor the 300th anniversary of German American immigration and culture to the United States. The first German Club opened its doors in Los Angeles 1859, just nine years after Los Angeles itself, with a population of 1,610, became a city in1850, and California had become the 31st US State the same year.

The German-American League of Los Angeles unites most local German Organizations under their umbrella and together the Clubs organize and coordinate their events, festivities, and charitable efforts.

For questions, please contact: Alexander Hast, (310) 926-7699 email: Alex@AlexHast.com