On June 18th, 2015 the participants of the seminar "Zeitgenössische Literatur und Musik" (Contemporary Literature and Music), under the direction of Dr. Nils Bernstein, organized an atmospheric evening with poetry and music.

The event was divided into three parts:

The evening began with poems written in the home countries of the students, recited in the original language as well as in a German translation. Among them were poems from Poland, South Korea, the US, France, and Sweden.

In the second part, the students enacted well-known poems by Georg Weerth, Heinrich Heine, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Eduard Mörike and Ernst Jandl.

The performance concluded with (almost) contemporary German songs with a twist: The students had modified the lyrics to deal with everyday life at the university. The little student choir was accompanied by Nils Bernstein on the guitar. As an extra, the group sang the Low German song An de Eck steiht 'n Jung mit'n Tüddelband, to which the audience eagerly sang along.

After the end of the performance, audience and students had the opportunity to talk over beverages and snacks.

Here is what our students had to say about the evening:

"Der Poesie-Abend in der vergangenen Nacht war ein Erfolg. Diese kulturelle Gruppe ist ein Phänomen." (Erilene aus Brasilien) (The poetry evening was a success. This cultural group is a phenomenon.)

"Das war eine schöne Nacht, die von den internationalen Studierenden organisiert worden ist. […] Sie sangen über das Leben an der Uni. Darüber lachte das Publikum." (Risa aus Japan) (This was a beautiful evening organized by the international students. They sang about life at the university, which made the audience laugh.)

"Viele Dozenten und Studenten kamen zum Poesie-Abend und haben zusammen den Musik-Abend und zeitgenössische deutschsprachige Literatur und Musik genossen. Es war eine wertvolle Zeit, die die Studenten und Dozenten gemeinsam miteinander verbracht haben. Literatur und Musik konnten wie eine Party zusammen genossen werden!" (Youngin aus Südkorea) (Many teachers and students came to the poetry evening and enjoyed contemporary German literature and music together. It was a valuable time that the students and teachers spent together. Literature and music could be enjoyed in a party atmosphere.)

"Da die Studenten aus verschiedenen Ländern kommen, entstand eine internationale Vielfalt der Gedichte. […] Das Programm lieferte verschiedene Emotionen, Glück, Trauer, Überraschung. Ein unvergesslicher Abend – wir hoffen auf den nächsten!“ (Aleksandra aus Polen) (Since the students are from many different countries, there was an international variety to the poems. They evoked a whole range of emotions, joy, sadness, surprise. A memorable evening – we’re hoping for the next one!)

The rest of the feedback we received was also very positive. We’d like to thank everyone for coming, singing along, and participating. And a huge thank you to all the students who helped to organize this exciting and entertaining event.

An event by and for our German students and for everyone who is interested. We will sing and recite and enact poems. Thursday, June 18, 6 PM, room 0079 (Von-Melle-Park 5) (entrence free)

Looking into all those jolly faces was the proof we needed to know that our little English Christmas event on December 5, 2014 has been a huge success.

Many, many German and international students as well as employees came to greet the Christmas season with us. We did not count everybody, but it must have been around 150-200 people. All seats were taken and it seems that there could have well been even more chairs. We are happy that you liked our idea so much.

As an introduction, our head of department, Dr. Henriette Javorek, read an English Christmas tale. Right after which the caroling began. Accompanied by a little choir consisting of participants and teachers of our courses, everyone eagerly sang along. To assure that no-one would get in trouble for not knowing the lyrics, we projected the words in karaoke fashion onto the wall and contributed little booklets with the lyrics that the devoted singers could take home afterwards.  After a short break and a refreshment through tea, coffee, mulled wine, cookies and cake, a little flute concert followed. More sing-alongs concluded in an atmospheric “Silent Night” to round off the evening.

As a language center, international communication is something dear to us. With this little celebration we wanted to allow German and international students and employees to chat and celebrate Christmas together in a relaxed atmosphere. Even during preparations, our participants could train their language skills while singing and learn about English Christmas traditions. Learning is just so much easier while having fun.

That was well worth the time and effort. We want to use this opportunity to thank all the busy helpers who aided us in the preparations: the choir singers, the busy bakers, the helpers at the buffet and the hands-on students who helped us to set up and take everything back where it belonged.

We hope you all enjoyed the evening as much as the people who already reported back to us and could take something away. Maybe you even met some new interesting people.

Enjoy the Christmas season with your loved ones!

Your FSZ-Team

Join our Christmas caroling event at the FSZ!

Christmas caroling has a long tradition in the English-speaking world. Singers go from door to door and sing to spread Christmas cheer in their neighborhood.

We would like to share and uphold this tradition with you. On Friday, December 5, 2014 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. we are meeting to sing some Christmas songs together.

Where: Von-Melle-Park 5, room 79

We have chosen some well-known and some less well known Christmas songs and invite you to come along and sing with us. You will be supported by a little choir and the lyrics will be projected on the wall in karaoke fashion. This way, everyone can sing along, no matter how text-savvy they are.

There will be a buffet with coffee, tea, hot wine punch, and cookies.

Entrance, food, and drinks will be free of charge. So come by and share the joy of the Christmas season and the fun of singing together!

Have fun and a merry Christmas!