Heritage Festival 2023 celebrates its 50th anniversary!
For details and last year's photos, check out the
Please find more fun postings from our club's heritage (in no particular order) below to learn about German Culture
AEGBEE (Association of English-German Bilingual Education Edmonton)
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Research shows that learning a second language helps a child learn English, especially in the case of German, as both languages come from a common Germanic language and share many similarities in both vocabulary and grammar.
Learning German and English together provides a wider view and deeper sense of the world. It immediately doubles the range of songs, poetry, stories, films and websites that children can understand and learn from.
Students in Edmonton Public School’s German Bilingual Program have the opportunity to travel to Germany, obtain internationally recognized certificates in German proficiency, and earn bursaries toward their post secondary studies.
Most of all, German is cool and fun to learn!
Bavarian Schuhplattlers - Edmonton
We have been in existence since 1971 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Our organization preserves the German tradition of folk-dancing and also provides an atmosphere of fun and Gemütlichkeit for its members. Find more information on the Schuhplattler website.
Images from the Schuhplatters
Grand Prairie Society of German Canadians
The Grande Prairie Society of German Canadians has been around since 1962. Our hall is located in Clairmont, which is just a few minutes north of Grande Prairie. We have events throughout the year including Oktoberfest, Christmas Concert, and other various activities. Our hall seats 150 people and is available for private functions as well.
Annual Oktoberfest: Every fall we offer authentic German food plus unique activities with live music. We are planning to have the Bavarian Schuhplattlers of Edmonton perform at the next Oktoberfest.
Live music has been provided by Jordan Rody and band who entertained us with his accordion. One of our young members has the talent of yodelling and has spontaneously performed her talent with Jordan and his band. We also have a local band called Tuesday Night Jazz Band, Sexsmith, AB that have worked very hard to introduce German music into their repertoire.
We invite anyone interested – regardless of age or gender – to compete in our Beer Stein Holding contest. And traditionally we have a grape stomping dance for everyone being brave enough to get their feet “juicy”.
Austrian Choir Heimatecho
The Austrian mixed Choir “Heimatecho” has been singing together since 1980 when a group of members of the Austrian-Canadian Society got together to rehearse some traditional songs for the Christmas party at the newly opened Austrian-Canadian Cultural Centre. Over the years 30 singers joined the choir, which performs at various club functions and also sings at senior homes and hospitals. New singers are always welcome to join the choir. Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m.
Johann Strauss Foundation
Mission Statement: The principal goal of the Johann Strauss Foundation is to encourage and support young musicians from Alberta, who wish to continue and further their advanced studies of music in the cultural environment of Austria.
History of the Foundation: Founded by Edmontonians of Austrian heritage, the Johann Strauss Foundation has aimed to support advanced musical education of residents of Alberta, since its inception in 1975. The Foundation encouraged and supported young musicians through scholarships, to help them to further their musical studies in the cultural environment of Austria. From 1975 - 2009 the Foundation has awarded scholarships, grants and awards in excess of $750,000.00 to 115 musicians as well as groups such as NUOVA and the University of Alberta's Academy String Orchestra. In the spring of 2009 the Foundation presented its assets as an endowment to the Wirth Institute for Austrian and Central European Studies in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Alberta . Between 2010 and 2020 another 33 Johann Strauss Foundation scholarships have been awarded, bringing the total to over $850,000.00.
Schuhplattlers Enzian Calgary
Celebrating 65 years of Austrian & Bavarian Entertainment!
So many reasons to contact us: to book a performance, to get more information, to watch us practice, to join the dance group, or to just say Guten Tag!
New members welcome!
Our group is actively seeking new dancers. If you are at all interested in finding out more… look here to find out more
Spree Asse Skat Club
Skat is a traditional German card game with it roots going back to before 1810. Skat is now played throughout the world; having clubs in Saudi Arabia, Australia, Germany, Poland, and even here in Edmonton, Alberta! It is a game that utilizes strategy, bidding, bluffing, and memory skills. Skat is a 3 player game where one offender always plays against two defenders. The goal is to get more than 60 card points of which there are 120 in a deck. Skat can be played from ages 12 to 99 and is a continuous battle of the minds which keeps players coming back for more!
The Edmonton Spree Asses Skat Club has approximately 40 members in the club and is always eager to teach more players this incredible game.
Ron Link’s Tutorial on how to play Skat
meet-up with Edmonton Skat Players
Recipes
German Sauerkraut (the one enjoyed at the Heritage Festival)
1 796 ml can Hengstenberg Mildessa Sauerkraut
Note: to get the desired result you need to use this brand which is available at German Delis or the Italian Centre Store.
I have also seen it sometimes at Superstore.
1 TBSP Caraway seeds
1 TSP each salt and whole pepper corns
1 TBSP sugar (I like brown sugar for more taste)
2-3 bay leaves (fresh or dried)
1 small piece of smoked pork (optional) – you can use a couple of strips of bacon
· Mix all spices and pork (if using) together in a cup of water and bring to a boil.
· Add the sauerkraut from the can and stir. Cover the pot with its lid and simmer for 1 hour. The sauerkraut should be nice and soft.
· Stir a few times and if needed add a bit more water if there is no liquid left.
· Discard bay leaves before serving.
Guten Appetit !!!
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Erdäpfelsalat (Potato Salad) - one of thousands of recipes used in Germany
