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“German. One language, many stories!” This is the motto of the Wunderbar Festival, a celebration of German literature, music, gastronomy and traditions.
For a week from the 31st March to the 5th of April, German culture and language learning will take centre stage with hundreds of activities across the country. The opening event is a flashmob, with students from Debrecen gathering in front of the Reformed Church on the Main Square at 2:00 p.m. on the 31st March. The classes will dance in T-shirts, and the event will be captured by the organiser, German Cultural Forum of Debrecen, with a drone and photos.
The number of students dancing is said to be 400 so far, and they come from 11 schools.
There are literary, cultural, educational and theatrical events in 220 institutions across the country, which can be found at www.wunderbarfesztival.hu.
German is the second most popular foreign language to learn in Hungary. In business, everyone is required to speak English, but those who can speak German are considered special for this extra.
A second language is a differentiator in the job market, and in Debrecen, German is a necessary plus for success.
“On the 2nd of April, in the morning, students from the region can meet companies with German interests at the 2nd German Career Day at the Kölcsey Centre. That afternoon, also at the Kölcsey Centre, we will showcase German culture in the heart of the city with dances and music. The 5th Wunderbar Festival is based on the idea that it is the passing on of tradition that gives us a vision for the future: that is why we are commemorating the German traditions of our region.” President of the Debrecen German Cultural Forum, Andrea Horváth said.
Why study German at home?
The staff of the German Cultural Forum have put the arguments into points!
1. Goethe, Kafka or Thomas Mann in the original? There would be no European culture without the German language.
2. A career in Hungary. German, Austrian and Swiss companies employ nearly half a million people in Hungary. Although English is the company language, it is easier to get into management positions if you speak German.
3. A career abroad. Germany, Austria and Switzerland are close by, and welcome skilled, fluent workers for all kinds of jobs.
4. Once you speak German well enough, the borders open up and you can study at the best German-speaking universities.
5. Academic and research scholarships. The Austro-Hungarian Action Foundation, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), has open applications for young researchers.
7. Tourism. German-speaking tourists are keen travellers and like to be able to speak their own language in foreign countries. If you can direct tourists to the Parliament or the Nagyerdei Stadium, they will thank you and say DANKE.
For those who have not yet joined but would like to be part of the Flashmob, please email info@deutsches-kulturforum.hu.
Source and photo credit: dehir.hu
