Landestrachtenfest…
…at the Danube Swabian Club in Toronto.
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| President Toni Baumann
welcomes guests and groups |
 It was one of those rare occasions where almost the whole, huge
a udience was wearing their native “Trachten” (native costumes)
as the traditions required. There was hardly an empty seat in
the whole club area!
Many of the guests had come from the Danube Swabian Club in
Kitchener and had brought their dance groups with them - who
later on also performed for the audience. Other guests had also
arrived from all over the area.
It all started – after meetings in the afternoon – with the
greatly appreciated performances of the Kindergruppe - under the
direction of Lori Szauter – to whet the appetites of the guests
before dinner. These youngsters really have the spirit already –
congratulations!
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| The
Danube-Swabian Brass Band |
| enjoyed by the public |
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 A fabulous banquet dinner was served at 6:00 pm – thanks to Chef
Christian Probst and his many tireless helpers. All along the
Danube-Swabian Brass Band entertained with their unique type of
great music, that also lured a great number of the guest to the
dance floor during dinner and any breaks in the other
performances.
| Enter the costumes and flags |
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 After dinner, some welcoming addresses by various dignitaries
and - preparatory to the “Einmarsch” – the ‘marching-in of the
participating groups into the hall with their various flags,
banners and variety of costumes – Peter Schweigel, new board
member (culture), took over as very
 well-informed ‘Master of
Ceremonies’.
The currently reigning Miss Danube, Emily Urban, was unable to
attend, but Christina Galowitch – her second in command – was
able to run the show with Patrick Mueller – the reigning Mr.
Danube – very competently.
The first order of business was the “Trachten Show” where the
various costumes from the different native areas were introduced
– since they were not all the same in the various areas of their
homeland!
 It was a beautiful and colourful exhibit and a
magnificent reminder of the past. This also served as a bond for
the younger generations to their heritage and traditions.
| Dancers and their
costumes |
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Next in line were the Kitchener Schwaben Dancers with
well-choreographed dances that elicited great applause from the
audience, which was also shared by the next group of performers,
The Kitchener Donau Dancers.
After a short break - to give the guests a chance on the dance
floor – The Toronto Heimatgruppe took over the floor followed by
the Toronto Jugendgruppe to close this unique and enlightening
event.
I should also mention that not one item remained of the
“gargantuan” raffle!
This traditional event also served as a demonstration of the new
Board of Directors to show their mettle, with Tony Baumann as
President again and Jake Dorner as the VP., Plus many other
capable members.
As always
Dick Altermann
Dick reports about community, historical,
cultural, ethnic events within the distribution area of Echo Germanica
from a German-Canadian perspective.
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