“The Path to German Unification”: An Exhibition – October 5-9.
On October 5, 2015, the Department of German & Slavic Studies celebrated the 25th Anniversary of German Reunification through a reception marking the opening of an exhibition that traces the milestones of events in a historic retrospective. Although the actual date was October 3, the department was delighted to have Mr. Walter Stechel, the Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany, attending in honour of the occasion. The exhibition reflects on this monumental moment in German history that had worldwide implications, a look back at post-WWII Germany, the events leading up to the fall of the Berlin wall through peaceful revolution, national, European and international reactions and finally the negotiations of the two German nations and the four allies that made a unified Germany possible.
Faculty and students of Desautels Faculty of Music performed German Lieder for the delighted audience that included students and faculty, members of the German community of Winnipeg, various representatives of international exchange offices, as well as the Honorary Consul of Germany in Winnipeg and the Consul General of Iceland who was excited to be in attendance because of his personal connection to the event: he was Ambassador in Bonn, West Germany from 1989 and simultaneously to GDR for a few months in 1990 until the two states officially reunited 3 Oct 1990.
Following the program the Department of German & Slavic Studies was also thrilled to host two parallel information sessions on funding opportunities for researchers and student exchanges to Germany by the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service).
The faculty session provided an overview of Germany’s vibrant research landscape, useful tools for identifying potential collaborators and information on funding opportunities open to Canadian scholars through DAAD and its partner organizations. DAAD is Germany’s national organization charged with fostering international academic cooperation; its programs move academics in all fields and at all stages of their careers to Germany to pursue study and research opportunities there.
The student information session was given by Andrew Weber, a UM student who learned German in the Department of German and Slavic Studies. He is the Manitoba DAAD Young Ambassador this year, one of only eight young ambassadors in Canada.
The exhibition is staged by the Federal Foundation for the Study of the Communist Dictatorship in Germany and by the Federal Foreign Office.
It is currently on display in room 307 Tier until Friday, October 9th. Anyone wishing to view it should contact the Faculty of Arts for the key.
