Students from the Bezaleel Educational Complex were superb on stage
It was a lot of fun for learners of the German language in schools from Greater Accra, Central and Ashanti regions as they exhibited high levels of creativity on November 15, 2024 at this year’s National German Cultural Festival at the Goethe-Institut in Accra.
Grouped into beginners, intermediate and advanced categories, the students fiercely competed against each other as they rapped, sang, danced and performed dramatic sketches. It was the 13th edition of the festival, and some of them came well-prepared.
The enthusiasm of the young learners infected Mr. Max Rottger, Director of Goethe-Institut Ghana, who said he was extremely happy to see so many young people keen to exhibit their proficiency in the German language.
He asked for a round of applause for Mrs. Eva Maria Asante, Head of Language Department of Goethe-Institut Ghana, for keeping the festival going for so long. He also thanked the teachers of the language for always preparing the lessons and making it fun for the students to learn.
The theme for this year’s festival was “Time Travel: Germany’s Culture and Language: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.”
Before a five-member panel of judges, the University of Education, Winneba Campus came up tops in the beginners category. They were followed by the Goethe-Institut and College St. Pierre Claver.
In the intermediate category, Bezaleel Educational Complex were crowned winners. Robert Memorial Complex School of Accra placed second and were followed by the University of Education, Winneba Campus.
Goethe-Institut grabbed the top prize in the advanced category, with Opoku Ware School from Kumasi clinching the second position. Accra Academy was third in that group.
Mrs. Asante explained that the judges awarded marks for proficiency in expression, general co-ordination in group performance and overall creativity. The winning schools received book prizes.
Other schools that participated in the festival were Accra Wesley Girls High School, Christian Methodist Senior High School, School of Translators, University of Education, Adjumako Campus and UNIMAC Institute of Languages. They all got certificates for being part of the festival.
Apart from what was exhibited on stage, there were also screening of short films, face painting, puzzles and a variety of board games to entertain the students.
Mrs. Ilsa Schmidt, Programmes and Cultural Officer at the German Embassy in Ghana, disclosed that German is one of the most widely spoken languages in Europe and a key language in the world of finance, science and the arts.
“Learning German is therefore important because it can open doors and create countless opportunities for both professional and personal goals,” she added.
Accra-based Afrobeats, R&B and Highlife performer, SVMORA, was on hand to entertain attendees as they looked fo rward to another thrilling National German Cultural Festival next year.
By George Clifford Owusu