core sector communique

Celebrating German language

Day of German Language at Max Muelle Bhavan; new PASCH initiative has given fresh impetus in spreading German in India

To promote German language, the Max Mueller Bhavan New Delhi is hosting a German Language Day on December 11, 2010 on its premises. The event is being organised in cooperation with the Embassies of Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

The Deputy Head of German Embassy, Mr. Christian Matthias-Schlaga, Austrian Ambassador to India Mr. Ferdinand Maultaschl and Swiss Ambassador Mr. Philippe Welti will inaugurate the event at 1100 hrs.

With various fun-filled activities, the event offers something for everyone. At the German stall, for example, anyone aspiring to learn German can do so in just 20 minutes. To show their painting skills, one can participate in the painting competitions being organised by the Swiss and the Austrian Embassies. From watching an exhibition on German inventions, quizzes, arts and crafts to learning waltz, a vast choice is available to the visitors.

The day-long event will also be a food-lovers paradise. From German cakes, pastries and waffles, to Swiss raclettes and breads, the visitors will get a taste of authentic, sumptuous cuisine.

Those interested in knowing about studying opportunities in Germany can direct their queries to the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), who will be present with a stall at the event. Also present would be FU Berlin, the German Book Office and the German Information Centre.

German, Hindi and Sanskrit belong to the Indo-European language tree, along with Punjabi and Urdu. In fact, German is one of the most widely-learnt foreign languages in India. The project, ‘Schools: Partners for the future’, or PASCH, has given a fresh impetus in spreading German in India and the world. Since its launch in 2007, the project has been a resounding success worldwide, especially in India. Within a span of two-and-a-half years, 52 schools have joined as partner schools of the PASCH initiative. 12 of these schools are in New Delhi. Innovative, modern and interactive methods of teaching German have made learning German a pleasure for the school kids. The aim of the PASCH initiative is to build a network of over 1,000 partner schools worldwide, in order to promote the German language.