May 2000 - Nr. 5
"Heimat"
The word that cannot be translated
When we get together in our German Canadian Clubs and institutions we do it not only to get together, but also to commemorate our customs and to speak our language. Nowadays we often speak English at events because we entertain guests and friends that cannot speak our mother tongue. Even our children and grandchildren often have not mastered more than some basic vocabulary. Some of the older generation has mastered English quite well, but is no longer 100% sure of the German language. Thus we encounter a happy mix of both languages and sometimes something I call Immigranto. Then we hear things like: "Gib me the Zucker" or "Ich mußte auf der Mappe (map) nachschauen, um meinen way zu finden." This is a good mix, we could call it Germlish.
Most of us hear it not at all, but I am quite aware of these language mixes. I really should start to collect them. It does not matter much which language we speak, as long as we congregate happily and feel "gut" about ourselves.
The only reason why our clubs still survive is probably because we need to have this feeling of "Heimat". This is a word that has no equivalent in English, as someone pointed out at the "Heimatabend" of the Club Loreley in Oshawa just last Saturday. This remarkable evening was put together among some of the groups that belong to the club, much the same way all other clubs have it. Since I had not been there a few years I was much surprised to see such a strong element of German culture actively pursued. Unfortunately there were not many young people there and the present people expressed their regret about it like everywhere else where I go. I was grateful to be given the opportunity to speak to the attentive audience, and yes, I did it in German. Once again we discussed the need for "Nachwuchs" and how the language barrier contributes to the lack of it. "Nur Deutsch" doesn’t do it for our youngsters. This, of course, is one of the reasons why Echo Germanica carries a large English content. The English ensures that any participation in German Canadian events can be shown to and shared with those who do not understand it. Besides, we are great people and deserve to be acknowledged for our contributions to this country. That is why we publish for instance reports of our Canadian history, which is shamefully not taught in schools. I can only suggest that we use the tools available to us in order to change any misconceptions others have about us. Let us do by showing our good deeds, and the sharing of our culture, wherever we might encounter it. This is the purpose of Echo Germanica. We cannot do it alone; we could use more of your help. This way the feeling of "Heimat" will never leave us. It is something we will carry with us always. Let’s do it proudly!
Easter Celebrations
This year my husband Rolf and I decided to partake at the festivities at the Danube Swabian Club in Scarborough. We went for the second sitting and had to realize that the most important part, the Easter Egg Hunt, was already over. 99 colourful eggs had been hidden outside in the meadow and every child was allowed to bring in one. Then each finder was given e special Easter treat. There were traditional sweet things, but also practical items like little handbags for the girls. Big plush toys were of course a favourite. We spoke to some of the kids and they were very happy.
Many familiar faces greeted us at the club, happy to see us. The feeling was mutual. President Toni Baumann was there with his wife Inge and their two daughters and their families. Even Toni’s brother showed up with his wife. And I did not even know that he had a brother! Unfortunately I cannot prove it. The photos I took did not turn out. The camera had not been used in a while and needed service.
I must mention that the buffet was outstanding with a huge variety of traditional and gourmet items. On both the hot and the cold buffet were so many items that we could not sample everything. The salads were fabulous, as was the cold salmon and the devilled eggs and an interesting egg dish, similar to the French quiche, but without the pastry bottom. On the hot table I particularly enjoyed the roast duck with all possible trimmings. Only the desert table was a bit of a disappointment because we are so spoiled with good deserts when the Frauen-Gruppe puts on a spread. There is nothing like homemade stuff!
Austrian Heimatabend
There
it is again, that word Heimat. The Austrian Alpine Choir, which consists of
members of the Szauter family and all their sub groupings like the
Forget-Me-Nots and other constellations, as well as individual members,
under the direction of the very talented Willi Platzer, put together on of
the already famous evenings full of song, music and dance. It was a Friday
evening and I had just come from my encounter with the handsome John
Travolta. After saying hallo to everyone and finding our seats we headed for
the buffet and got a plate full of delicious food fresh from the kitchen.
The Schnitzels were so big they hung over the plate! Good thing I was
hungry.
Immediately
the performances started with some real folksongs. This always defrosts even
the really tired listeners.
Willi
sang some solo selections and dazzled the audience with a Russian selection.
The young people of the Szauter family performed some instrumental pieces.
It is wonderful to see and hear their improvements with every performance.
They are becoming more proficient and confident all the time. 
The
girls also showed some clogging, which is much reminiscent of tap-dancing,
just in a more folklore way. The audience liked these performances
especially. And when the grownups got onto the stage to do some gospel and
blue grass everyone applauded extra loud. This interesting phenomenon is
likely due to the fact that we do have assimilated and our new "Heimat"
gives as much pleasure as our old one.
The
performances went on all night. Unfortunately we had to go to do some work,
but we heard it was a rousing success. All money made goes towards a trip to
Austria this summer. Good luck!
Loreley Heimatabend
As previously stated, we had not been there for a long time, but were really glad to have followed the invitation. Right away we were greeted by Christel Petrowski and Mr. Ottinger, the conductor of the choir. A trip to the kitchen reacquainted us with Erika and Georg Schuster, who we remembered well from the "Bayrische Freizeit Klub". They took very good care of us. The "gute Hausmanns Kost" was very appreciated, as was the delicious Black Forrest Torte.
The
evening started with welcoming songs by the very strong choir, which has
some lovely voices and quite an extensive repertoire.
In
fast successions Dieter Wunderlich lead through offering after offering.
Poems were read, duets performed, sing-alongs and dance numbers kept every
one well entertained. Even jokes were told, and people laughed heartily.
To
our surprise we saw Willy Platzer again, this time with the boys called
Kaertner Fuenf G’sang. And that is what they performed, just like the
night before at the other club.
It
was a memorable evening for us, especially me. This is the only choir that
sings the songs (that I know of) that sings the songs I used to sing with my
family when I was a girl. The "Ostpreußen Song" and „Aennchen
von Tharau", for instance, have always moved me to tears. They still
do.
Much
too fast the time passed and we had to go again before the evening was over.
Thank you to Tony Haas and his gang for having thought of this idea so many
years ago and for keeping it up. There is quite a bit of good talent hidden
in this club. Willi Platzer obviously noticed, he even played the Hackbrett
with Mrs. Franke.
The sounds of "Heimat" were all represented that night. From shanty land to jodler country, everything was remembered.
Last but not least!
Allow me to remind you about our anniversary celebration, which will take place on Mothers Day, May 14th. What could be a more perfect day to celebrate what my mother was so proud of: my ability to speak English rated very high with her.
I know that many of you have other plans, but there are those that might want to come just for the afternoon for a pleasant diversion with their family. If you are alone, don’t be! Come down and have a good time. We will take good care of you.
Everything you need to know is in the big ad on the back page.
And if I should not see you I wish all our mothers a wonderful day, full of pleasant surprises.
Yours truly
Sybille Forster-Rentmeister
Comments to: sfr@echoworld.com
