Deutschland: Die Vaterländer Geschichte und Kultur...Erin Kelly

April 21, 2011 - PRLog -- Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York – Erin Kelly presented Deutschland: Die Vaterländer Geschichte und Kultur, to her schoolmates and school families on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at St. Thomas of Canterbury School located in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York.

From a very young age Miss Kelly was exposed to her father’s work with award winning author and culinary arts personality Corinne Trang and Music-Radio Icon Zach Martin in Tourism, Culinary Arts, Culture, Arts/Music promotional campaigns as well as diplomatic affairs through Public Diplomacy campaigns for various entities both foreign and domestic for K2 GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS LLC.

Wearing a traditional Dirndl Erin gave a brief outline of the demographics of Deutschland, the German people’s history and unique and vibrant cultural contributions many that we celebrate in  the United States and globally today.  The scholastic portion of Miss Kelly’s presentation was followed by her personal project to combat many of the stereotypes associated with Germany and its people.

Miss Kelly noticed from her media research the portrayal of the German people, on certain historical and special interest programming channels, the repeated focus on one point in German history with little or no regard for the entirety of Germany’s history and culture.

Having learned Silent Night in German from her grandmother Miss Kelly searched for a moment in the history of Germany that would best reflect the sentiments of the song.  As a result, she discovered one of the most beautiful moments in human history.  A momentous event of peace and untold beauty of the Spirit of The German People in the midst of great chaos, pain and suffering in the world…The World War I Christmas Truce of 1914.

“During World War I, in the winter of 1914, on the battlefields of Flanders, one of the most

unusual  events in all of human history took place.

The Germans had been in a fierce battle with the British and French. Both sides were dug

in, safe in muddy, man-made trenches six to eight feet deep that seemed to stretch forever.

All of a sudden, German troops began to put small Christmas trees (A German Tradition),

lit with candles, outside of their trenches. Then, they began to sing songs. Across the way,

in the “no man’s land” between them, came songs from the British and French troops.

Incredibly, many of the Germans, who had worked in England before the war, were able to

speak good enough English to propose a “Christmas” truce.

A spontaneous truce resulted.  Soldiers left their trenches, meeting in the middle to shake

hands. they exchanged gifts of Chocolate cake, cognac, postcards, newspapers, tobacco. In

a few places, along the trenches, soldiers exchanged rifles for soccer balls and began to play

games.

It didn’t last forever. In fact, some of the generals didn’t like it at all and commanded their

troops to resume shooting at each other. After all, they were in a war.

For a few precious moments there was peace on earth good will toward men. All because

the focus was on Jesus Our Christ.  

Happens every time. There’s something about Jesus Our Christ that changes people. It

happened over 2000 years ago in a little town called Bethlehem. It’s been  happening over

and over again down through the years of time.”

This Holy Week, Lord willing, it will happen again.”  -Excerpt Modified from CHRISTMAS TRUCE (Snopes.com)


After her reading of The Story of Silent Night: The Christmas Truce of 1914, Kelly gave her performance of Silent Night in German followed by her class performing the song in French and English.  Each student received a gift pack of complete information on Germany, its land, people and culture courtesy of the German people through the German National Tourist Office in support of the project.

Miss Kelly expresses her tremendous gratitude for Germany and its people for their support in making her presentation a great cultural and learning experience.  She encourages people to learn more about Germany as a travel destination and to follow the German National Tourist Office on the official US-Facebook page of the German National Tourist Office New York. Feel free to join their conversation, connect with other travelers, and share your passion for Germany or follow the German National Tourist Office us on Twitter for daily tourism updates and special offers! twitter.com/germanytourism

For young people to connect with German educational and cultural youth forums please visit:  Todo Alemán and please check the great article combating stereotypes of the German people: Made in Germany: Philistines in Lederhosen – Prejudices about the Germans

Related Posts:

Dispelling Cultural Stereotypes – German Public Diplomacy
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