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German Language Day in Samara has been held in autumn for several years now and traditionally brings together different generations of people connected in one way or another with learning or teaching the language. It is an excellent opportunity for like-minded individuals to socialize, attend a lecture in German, meet native speakers, experience the culture, participate in a quiz, or receive a well-deserved award as a winner of a translation competition.
This year was special. The event's geographical reach expanded, and its organizing team grew. German Language Day was celebrated on November 15 throughout Russia at various regional venues. In Samara, the organizers this year, alongside the Department of German Philology of our university, included the ANO DPO Institute of Ethnocultural Education (Moscow), the public organization of the Samara Region "Regional Center of German Culture 'Nadezhda' (Hope)'," and the Samara German Language Center.
The guests of the celebration were treated to a very rich and diverse program. Participation was open to children and adults, university and school students, teachers, and graduates. The organizers thoughtfully considered how to engage everyone, from the youngest to the oldest.
Those interested in the history of Russian-German connections enjoyed a fascinating lecture in German about prominent Germans who left their mark on our city's history. The lecture was prepared and delivered by Associate Professor of the Department of German Philology, Candidate of Philological Sciences, Natalia Vitalievna Barabanova. Listeners held their breath as they followed her story, illustrated with photographs: history literally came to life, and familiar corners of the city since childhood were revealed from a new perspective.
Adult guests learning the language had the opportunity to improve their German pronunciation by participating in a phonetics workshop conducted by Vasily Nikitin, Director of the German Language Center at Samara University. Participants were delighted: it turned out that learning a language can be fun and communicative.
For the youngest attendees, German language teacher Inna Yuryevna Shashkova prepared a playful program "German with Pleasure," filled with an atmosphere of games and joy.
Award ceremonies for those who showed excellent results in the translation mastery competition and the essay competition were held at the German Language Center premises. These beloved and now traditional competitions united creative young people from various schools and universities across Leningrad, Ulyanovsk, Penza, and Samara regions. Representatives of the German Embassy in Moscow came to congratulate the winners and awardees, presenting them with diplomas and valuable prizes.
A pleasant event was the screening of the German-language film "Das fliegende Klassenzimmer" ("The Flying Classroom"). This touching story about true friendship did not leave the audience indifferent.
To top it all off, a culinary masterclass was organized for those with a sweet tooth, where Irma Viktorovna Belenina initiated willing participants into some intricacies of German cuisine. In a word, the celebration was a splendid success. Pleasant memories remain, along with the hope for new meetings next year.
