Bristol Hannover Council

** On Wednesday, March 19, Bristol Hannover Council’s Ann Kennard convened a host of groups and individuals from Bristol engaged in teaching and learning the German language for a meeting over Kaffee and Kuchen in the Folk House with the GermanAmbassador Miguel Berger.

The Ambassador visited the city to celebrate #ShoutOutForGerman, a campaign to highlight the benefits of learning the German language. A mixed group of all ages and levels of language proficiency drawn from the population of Bristol succeeded in convincing the Ambassador that German is alive and kicking in the city.

In his remarks, the Ambassador singled out the Bristol Hannover Council as one of the most active and enduring examples of Anglo-German partnership in the UK and highlighted the fact that Bristol University had the second largest German department in the country.

Herr Berger praised the work of Germany’s Honorary Consuls, including BHC member Kai von Pahlen who was able to showcase the work of the local German Samstagschule.

The ambassador also emphasised the importance of ‘urban diplomacy’:links between the countries at council level. International officer Zoe Gibbons was able to present the fruits of her partnership with the town administration in Hannover in connecting civil groups in both cities.

Finally, it was great to hear from young people learning German, including Ellen Sheehy and Darrius Meren – both members of Bristol City Youth Council, which Herr Berger remembered so well from his previous visit to Bristol.

The Ambassador offered a number of helpful suggestions, encouraging us to connect with German companies active in the region and urging us to communicate effectively the whole range of German related activities taking place in Bristol.

                                                                                                                                 IAN TURNER

 

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