By Torben Heinbockel ’26
Source: St. Paul’s Instagram
The beloved German program at The St. Paul’s Schools (TSPS) is much more than simply a language class. Students taking German benefit from the program, as well as German traditions and events that they learn about. As part of the program, and when students are more proficient in the language, there are opportunities to travel to Berlin, the capital of Germany, and take classes there for eight weeks. Locally, there are opportunities to visit events related to German life and culture. Students may visit the German Christmas Village at the Inner Harbor downtown in December. Another highlight is the Advent celebration, St. Nikolaus Day, on December 6th, specifically celebrated by children living in European, Christian countries, but it can be celebrated by Christian children all around the world.
One of the main objectives of the German program is to give students the opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of the language: a staple tongue in Europe with great historical and current importance. Students who want to study German must be committed to a long and complex process with daily practice in speaking, patience, and dedication. In this process, students will learn more about themselves and their American identity by comparing it to German culture, as the curriculum includes cultural characteristics about Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. In addition, students will learn about regions, cities, dialects, and holidays in those countries and may choose to be a member of the German Club at TSPS, as well.
Oktoberfest originated as a party held in celebration of a royal marriage in Bavaria, the state where Munich is located. An officer in the Bavarian National Guard wanted to modify the traditional royal wedding ceremony by honoring the royal couple, Prince Regent Ludwig of Bavaria (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen, with a horse race. The King of Bavaria was very impressed with this idea and agreed to the modification. So, on October 12, 1810, the royal couple was married. Five days later, the couple was further honored with festivities and horse races that took place in a large open area that was later renamed the Theresienwiese in honor of the bride. This celebration marked the birth of Oktoberfest.
Oktoberfest is like the state fair at the Fairgrounds in Timonium, but much larger. In Germany, it takes place every day from mid-September to the first Sunday in October, with more than six million international and national visitors attending the event each year. Next year, the 189th Oktoberfest will occur at Munich’s Theresienwiese (“Theresa’s Meadow”). Today, parades, carnival rides, an agricultural fair, horse races, music, live concerts, food, large beer tents, and lots of beer drinking are common at Oktoberfest celebrations in Germany. Each year, Oktoberfest visitors consume about 7.5 million liters of beer. Smaller versions of Oktoberfest are celebrated around the world each year. While Oktoberfest is an annual event in Germany, it had to be canceled due to several wars, epidemics such as cholera, hyperinflation, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
On October 23, 2023, about 100 students and faculty from the SP and SPSG Upper Schools, as well as students from the Middle School, gathered on the SP Upper School grass area directly outside the school to celebrate Oktoberfest. This annual event is organized by Frau Krueger, the German teacher in the Upper School, and it was another great success this year! At this event, students and faculty tasted complimentary authentic German and Austrian food items and could visit various stations that were set up. These included German chocolate (e.g., Ritter Sport, Schogetten, Milka), cookies (Spekulatius, a German Christmas cookie and Lebkuchen or gingerbread), Haribo gummy bears, pretzel bites, Mezzo Mix, a German beverage comprising a mixture of cola and orange soda known as “Spezi” and, of course, bratwurst, a delicious grilled sausage. Students played games such as Armdrücken (arm wrestling), Kubb, Glücksrad (spin the wheel) to win giveaways (lanyards, tote bags, metal pins, and wrist bands from the German embassy), and they tried to pronounce the longest and most difficult German words. The game most liked by the students was an egg-and-spoon race where participants had to balance an egg on a spoon and race without dropping it to the finish line. Also, Middle School students learned about the German program at SP at one of the stations.
Several high school students dressed up in traditional Bavarian outfits. A few male students helping with this event wore the traditional embroidered Lederhosen (leather shorts) with suspenders, held in place by a front panel flap. Authentic lederhosen are made from soft leather and were initially created to accommodate the needs of poor laborers and peasants. A cotton plaid shirt, woolen hiking socks, feathered hat, and sturdy leather shoes or Haferlschuh complete this 16th century outfit. Lederhosen can be worn by women, as well. The Lederhosen outfit is typically associated with German-speaking mountainous regions in southern Germany (Bavaria), Austria, and Switzerland. A few female students wore dirndls, a traditional folk costume or dress worn by girls and women in Bavaria, Austria, Switzerland, and areas around the Alp Mountains. A dirndl comprises a close-fitting bodice with a low neckline, a short or long-sleeved blouse that is worn under the bodice, and an apron.
All-in-all, everyone who attended had a fun time. This event may encourage some members of the SP community to attend the 189th Oktoberfest, which will be held in Munich next year from September 21 to October 6, 2024. Who knows? Perhaps some of the students studying German will attend this event as well. There’s no better place to immerse yourself in German language and culture than in the heart of Germany itself!
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