Students Shine at National German Cultural Festival 2023
The 13th National German Cultural Festival brought together students from the Greater Accra, Central, and Ashanti regions at the Goethe-Institut in Accra on November 15. This year’s event featured a blend of creativity and cultural exchange as students competed in raps, songs, poetry, dramatic sketches, and dance performances in German.
Under the theme “Time Travel: Germany’s Culture and Language: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” the festival showcased the growing enthusiasm for German language education in Ghana. Participants were grouped into Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced categories and received inspiration from Mrs. Ilsa Schmidt, Programmes and Cultural Officer at the German Embassy. Speaking on the value of learning German, Mrs. Schmidt emphasized its importance in fostering collaboration, cultural appreciation, and opening global opportunities in fields such as finance, science, and the arts.
The festival also celebrated winners in each category:
- Beginners: University of Education, Winneba Campus
- Intermediate: Bezaleel Educational Complex
- Advanced: Goethe-Institut
Participants received certificates, while winners were awarded books and praised for their proficiency, creativity, and teamwork.
Apart from stage performances, attendees enjoyed activities like short film screenings, face painting, puzzles, and board games. Accra-based Ghanaian-German musician SVMORA closed the event with a lively performance of Afrobeats, R&B, and Highlife that got the audience dancing.
The Head of the Language Department, Mrs. Eva Maria Asante, expressed satisfaction with the festival’s success and the students’ enthusiasm, noting significant progress in their German language skills.
The National German Cultural Festival continues to strengthen bonds between Ghana and Germany, promoting language learning and cultural exchange among the youth.