December 2001 - Nr. 12
Of holidays and other tales
I
promised a few follow-ups in the last issue because some events crossed our
lines after we were finished with the last paper. One of them was the
Austrian National Holiday. Honorary Consul General Mr. Frank Stronach
invited the hundreds of Austrian expatriates up to Woodbridge into the Imax
Colossus Theatre. In increments of a couple of hundred throughout the
afternoon people were treated to beverages of all sorts and strudel in the
upper bar area. Space was at a premium and photos difficult to take with
backlight from huge windows to the outside. One shot would have been ideal,
with the model of the spaceship Enterprise hanging from the ceiling and the
pastor from St. Patrick’s Church sitting in front of it, depicting the
idea of religion in the future. Let’s hope there will be religions,
harmoniously side by side.
Mr. Stronach also proved to be elusive prey for a photographer, or was he avoiding the press because of ongoing lawsuits involving Magna International in Ontario courts? Such things make prominent headlines, especially when very wealthy people are involved.
Magna
long ago added other "products" then car parts to its line of
moneymaking enterprises. Entertainment is the newest endeavour.
The
film the celebrating crowd was to be presented with perhaps also a venture
to be marketed here by that division.
The
movie, a stunning portrait of the history of the Spanish Riding School and
its famous white stallions and well worth seeing, and the popcorn and Pepsi
nevertheless did not make for a really celebratory mood. 
This
was a commercial venture, not a cultural venue that would allow for any down
home feeling, such as attending crowds were used to. There were no festive
speeches, just a short introduction of the movie by Willy Platzer, after Mr.
Stronach officially welcomed his guests. The Austrian Alpine Choir, probably
there in full force as individuals, made a heroic effort to add some
atmosphere to the cold steel and glass setting of a colossal space saucer,
which the building is reminiscent of.
Interesting, but not festive!
And while we are speaking of the Austrian Alpine Choir, which still exists, but currently does not perform, we can expect to see and hear a lot from the Szauter clan and their Forget-me-nots. Be on the look out for special performances in the near future!
Balls and such
We also promised a report on the annual gala of the German Canadian Business & Professional Association, in conjunction with the Germ. Can. Chamber of Commerce. Since we did not attend this year ourselves we decided just to refer you to their website with lots of photos. We checked out the website where the Photos were supposed to be, but unfortunately there is only a friendly message that this is a test site. Too bad, I was looking forward to some interesting shots. Rumour has it that even the most stuffed shirts, who would not be seen dead in a local German Canadian Club, got up and ump-papahed to the sounds of a typical Bavarian band, probably because it was imported.
The equivalent of the ball from the local Swiss community chose modern sounds and rhythms, which is not everyone’s cup of tee either. We heard of only one waltz! No foxtrot or tango either. Just music that suggests the no touch variety of dance.
The German ball took place as usual in the Royal York and the Swiss version in the Prince Hotel, which is renowned for its kitchen. Which all goes to prove: No matter how hard you try you will please some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all the time.
And by the way, since it is Christmas time the Chamber and Business Assoc. invite to a grand Christmas Party. Call 416-586-0181 to find out more and book yourself in for this joyous event.
Saint Martin Parade
This
was my most favourite event of the entire month of November! The German
School in Toronto had already held one last year together with the German
Consulate General as the host. This year they had to go it alone for the
famous and often quoted "security reasons". It must be terrible
living in constant fear of some retaliation by unknown people and
forces.
That
is why the Young Ones and other strangers probably just forged ahead and
created memories, right here, right now, without the pain of fear.
Over
one hundred people more turned out this year, which gave the parade a
respectable size with over 300 people!
They
met at a school on Brunswick Ave., north of Bloor, in the courtyard of a
school, which might become the next location for the school, right in the
heart of the Annex and marched way beyond Spadina Avenue before turning
back. This year everyone stayed on the sidewalks, mostly anyway, as to not
block the traffic.
It was quite something to see: Children of all ages and adults holding lanterns, some quite cleverly rigged with tiny flashlights, rather than real candles. All trudged along singing the few lyrics they could remember or read off a handy sheet, which the schoolteachers had prepared.
At
the end when we all arrived back at the school yard there was much to do.
Sausages from Brandt and baked goods from Dimpfelmeier awaited the
wanderers. 
Christiane
Eichhorn, organiser of the event, was happy that this so very German fest
has found so many friends here. She also told the story of Saint Martin,
short version for short attention spans of children, when everyone was
lounging around the big two Martin’s fires. Music was played, we saw
children rehearse one more time the new songs, songs we never heard in our
childhood, and watched as they looked into the flames with their bright
eyes.
There
is nothing quite like it. The weather was for most of the time just perfect.
Golden leafs on the ground rustled as we marched through, holding our
lanterns high. That’s right, I had one too and loved every minute of it.
It is great to be a kid again, even for only an hour or so.
If
you want to find out more about the German Schools German customs and the
school itself, there is an open house event on Dec. 1st, at 77
Charles Street W. from 10am to 2pm. (look at the separate announcement in
this issue).
Otherwise I will see you at the Christmas Market in front of City Hall, starting from November 30, or the following weekend, Dec. 6-9, in Kitchener for the annual Christkindl Market.
And if you are looking for the joy of Christmas music we recommend Opera Encore’s "Rejoice in Christmas!" especially for those that might not want to come downtown. The concert will take place at Armour Heights Presbyterian Church at 105 Wilson Ave., South of 401 and East of Avenue Rd. December16, 7:30pm. Phone 416- 784-0799 for more information of this wonderful program with seasonal selections from Bizet, Adam, Schubert, Handel, Mozart and more.
In the meantime have a wonderful advent time
Sybille Forster-Rentmeister
Comments to: sfr@echoworld.com
