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Take a Look at
German Culture!
Milwaukee
A group of dancers will perform the Schafflertanz or Barrel Makers Dance
which is among the oldest documented folk dances still performed today. This
dance dates back over a thousand years. The dance was at its height during
the Middle Ages since most of the food items in those days had to be shipped
in barrels.
In the early
1500's Western Europe was gripped with a plague which wiped out
approximately one-third of its population. People were afraid to wander out
or walk the street in fear they would catch the plague. In 1517 The
Schaffler or barrel makers were the first to wander out. They danced through
the streets encouraging the citizens of Munich to venture outside, thereby
giving the "All Clear" sign to the citizens. Now the Schafflertanz is
performed in Munich 10 to 12 times daily from January to Ash Wednesday.
A program will be
presented on the Roman influence on Germany and the German influence on
Rome. We will show how Germans moved into the Roman empire and how Germans
adopted the Roman culture. This program will show the influences on
agriculture, church, warfare, cities, and law. The program will cover the
years 150 B.C. to 800 A.D.
A feature of this
year's Cultural Village is the Deutsches Aus-wanderMuseum or German
Immigration Museum from Hamburg Germany. This museum opened to the public on
July 4, 2007 and is dedicated to the five million people who left Europe
between 1850 and 1939 via Hamburg. This museum will be an important resource
to researchers doing genealogy and family tree research. Visit the Deutsches
Auswander Museum display and have them check their records and ship
manifests for your family members free of charge.
Musikgarten
- Cultural Area
Saturday, July 26,
3:30 PM
John Gurda
John Gurda,
Milwaukee-born writer and historian, has been studying his hometown since
1972. One of his books, The Making of Milwaukee, was the basis for a 2006
Emmy Award-winning documentary premiered by Milwaukee Public Television. Mr.
Gurda will present 'German Milwaukee', a historical overview of the
pervasive German influence on our community.
Sunday, July
27, 12-2:00 PM
Build a Bridge
John Peine, AIA, a
local architect will build a cable stay bridge with K- nex with the help of
children attending German Fest. Peine, of German descent, has a general
architectural practice and is an educator and design consultant. He has
presented Lego and K-nex activities to children and teens in the Milwaukee
area. Students from the Milwaukee School of Engineering will be assisting
John Peine.
Passport Program for Children
Thursday 5-8 P.M.
Friday 3-7 P.M.
Saturday 1-7 P.M.
Sunday 1-7 P.M.
Pick up Passport
at many locations on the grounds. Children go to listed booths in Culture
Tent to find out who the famous German-American is and will receive a
sticker to put in their Passport. Go to the Passport Booth in the Cultural
Tent for a small prize. |
