StFX German instructor Marlis Lade attended a special event on Sept. 24th at the German ambassador's residence in Ottawa. The event commemorated 75 years of German-Canadian relations and looked ahead to the Day of German Unity on Oct. 3.
“It was a memorable event, and I will bring new ideas back to StFX’s German classes,” says Ms. Lade, who notes she was invited because of StFX’s close relationship with the embassy, dating back to StFX's first German Day.
“In 2027, we will celebrate our 20th German Day at StFX. Since the beginning, we have always been able to host a representative from each of the embassy's departments.”
Ms. Lade says the foreign ministers of Canada and Germany, Anita Anand and Johannes Wadephul, travelled from the UN General Assembly in New York to celebrate with many esteemed guests from government and the military, as well as German exchange students.
“Both spoke of the deepened, trusting relationship between the two countries, not only in government but also in trade and industry.”
Another surprise, she says, was the appearance of Tim Stützle, a German hockey player for the Ottawa Senators, who gifted both ministers tricots.
Both ministers explored the embassy grounds, where tents served Berlin-style delicacies such as currywurst, döner, German potato salad, buletten (a specialty burger), berliner (a doughnut filled with raspberry jam), and Berliner Weiße beer with a drop of raspberry syrup.
She says that this October the German 200 class is invited to talk with members of Prof. Lavina Stan's classes about why studying German could be a valuable asset for StFX students.
