January 2003 - Nr. 1
Thoughts for the New Year... only for the 18-35s!
Oof!
What a year it’s been! Welcome to 2003. I hope that the New Year finds you
all in good health and renewed spirits! I would like all of you 18-35s to
think and remember back a few issues when I introduced myself and the
concept of this space here in "Echo Germanica". Let this article pose as a
little reminder.
A few months ago, I introduced myself as a young Canadian musician who happens to be of German descent. With the help of Sybille Forster-Rentmeister, the editor of this paper, the purpose is to not only seek out young people of this background but to ask and sometimes demand, or should I say request, an introspective look at what makes up a Canadian young person of "German descent".
By living in Canada, we are fortunate for many things and cannot take these things for granted. Many of these things will come to mind as being of course material. And that’s not a bad thing, we must be practical. Point being, by growing up in an environment, that is per say not "culturally specific" but culturally diverse, we have had our eyes opened to new and exciting things. The opposite of this may be a loss in something else. I tend not to think of it as a loss of anything though, but rather a new adaptation of what is already there. What am I talking about? This is the question: What do YOU as young people of this descent feel about some of the questions that I will pose? Do you agree, disagree, or couldn’t care less? By adaptation of one’s "culture", we learn to live in an environment where we must be tolerant and learn to appreciate where we "come from" and where we are. Let me be more specific. For example, I, as a person of Germanic descent, feel somewhat of a connection to the "old country" by perhaps virtue of being born into the background. However, since Europe is not my home and residence, I cannot fully appreciate (or not) what goes on there since I have, for the most part, only gone for visits. Yes, there is a different mentality to what goes on here, but that’s not the point.
My summer expedition all over Eastern and Western Europe prompted and required some soul-searching that was inevitable. Do you not find yourself wondering where you "fit in"? It all comes down to personal comfort, no? However, since we live in Canada, I would like to know your thoughts on the subject. What is your feeling about being a young person of Germanic descent? Does it mean anything to you? Was it a big part of your upbringing? Do you hang out with perhaps some people of the same background? Do you care much about it? Are you interested in finding out more about the culture? Why do you not participate in any of the German clubs; and if you do tell me why?Please do not feel shy about responding, and rest assured that your responses shall be kept anonymous if you so choose.
I
am by nature a very curious person and love to learn about new things and
revisit old things by bringing new perspective onto them. This is what I do
in my profession and choose also to do in my life.
Let
us start a dialogue and it may perhaps result in a wonderful session
complete with Glühwein!
Alles Gute im Neujahr!
Elizabeth Kuehn
( Echo Germanica, German-Canadian, news, arts, culture, heritage )
Comments to: ekuehn@echoworld.com
