02 accents

The English Language Journal

for Baden-Württemberg
www.accents-magazine.de
December 2004/January 2005
magazine

Have a Ball!

New trends in shopping

Marketing football
Party on Oscar Wilde!
Light bulbs and Kehrwoche

9 10
Contents
Feature
8 One Stop Shopping
How Anglo-American
trends are changing the face
of festive season bargain
hunting
9 Mince pies and
Christmas crackers
English shop
Christmas specials
Editorial
Now that you’ve taken a bite,
we’re telling you to have a
ball! It’s our Christmas and
New Year’s edition, after all.
So, Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year!
We’ve had a great response
to the first edition of accents –
thanks for your phone calls,
emails and letters. Many of you
wanted to know where you can
pick up the magazine on a
regular basis. We now have a
list of distribution points, which
is growing daily, and which you
can look up on our Web site.
(www.accents-magazine.de)
We will also print this list in the
magazine at a later date. We
haven’t yet managed to reach
each and every corner of
Baden-Württemberg, so bear
with us. We’ve also had a lot of
accents is sponsored by
accents magazine
News and Events
5 US election:
activists fight on
5 Bone-marrow benefit
6 New business forum
6 Beer, tea and books
Profile
7 Erwin Staudt:
President of VfB Stuttgart
accent on…
10 Baden’s repose
Spotlight on Karlsruhe
requests from people wanting
to subscribe to the magazine,
and we’re grateful for that.
Others have asked us – with
some justification – why they
should subscribe to a magazine
they can pick up somewhere for
free. Good question. We’re not
trying to hoodwink people into
paying for something they can
pick up for nothing in an English
shop or an Irish pub. The idea
of the personal subscription is
threefold. First, many people
live outside large cities in
Baden-Württemberg, and won’t
be able to pick up the magazine
so easily every two months
at a distribution point. Second,
a subscriber will have accents
home delivered before it’s
distributed publicly. Finally, and
more important, subscribing to
12
Arts and Culture
12 Happy Birthday Oscar!
Oscar Wilde’s spirit alive
in B-W
13 Christmas reading
Children’s Corner
15 Kevin Kuranyi:
football hero
Plus: a football quiz
16 Crossovers: book reviews
16 Children’s Christmas
writing
accents is a way of contributing
to the financial survival of the
magazine. It’s your way, as
a reader, of helping to cover
some of our costs. Give it some
thought. There’s a subscription
form on the inside of the back
cover.
With the economy the way it is,
it’s not exactly a great time for
having a ball, especially if that
means going on a spending
spree. Shopping is not a popular
past-time in Germany at the
moment. Nevertheless, new
shopping centres are springing
up all over Baden-Württemberg
– and we are to blame! English
speakers, that is. Shopping
trends from English-speaking
countries are influencing local
retail trends. Read our feature
Photo: Soweto Gospel Choir
17
Labyrinth
22 Finding a flat
Regulars
4 Letters
17 accents choice
What’s on listings
19 Classifieds
20 accents guide
Cover photo: R. Bruhn
Clubs and contacts
story to find out more about
Christmas shopping.
And speaking of having a ball,
Oscar Wilde has had another
one. The dear old dandy of Irish
literature celebrated his 150 th
birthday ... in Stuttgart, of all
places. Our arts editor was
there for the party. We also play
football (that’s “soccer”, for
some of you) in this edition,
visit Karlsruhe, and – in Laby-
rinth – provide you with tips
about moving into a new home.
Finally, thanks to all our readers
– old and young alike – who
wrote in for our two Christmas
competitions. Feast away and
we’ll see you on the other side
of January!
accents magazine
editorial team
3
 Letters
to the Editor
First edition well-received
Dear accents,
I have just read your first edition and want to congratulate you.
Though I’ve been living here for over seven years, I was entirely
unaware of the facilities available to English-speaking people in
the area. The layout and presentation of the magazine is terrific,
and it made for entertaining and informative reading. All the
very best for the future. Peggy-Anne Graham-Sechtem
The Editor,
How pleased I was to receive a copy of your magazine. It was
like a breath of English air! A whiff of home. Yes, I still call
England home after living in B-W for over 50 years.
Dorothy Gläser-Noble, Schorndorf
Twas the night before Christmas…
Schwäbisch Style
Twas the night before Weihnachten, and all through the castle
The in-laws were visiting, oh what a hassle.
The stockings I’d hung from the chimney with care,
Were taken down swiftly when they started to stare.
“Nikolaustag war am sechsten Dezember,
That poor Ami-girl she can never remember.
It’s a SHOE that he fills, not an oversized stocking.”
Then they laughed in a tone that was jolly, yet mocking.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of Spätzle danced in their heads.
Papa in the Sauna, and I in my Schlafie,
Adding more whiskey to my strong Irish coffee.
When out on the Balkon there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my Sessel to see what was the matter.
Away to the Fenster I flew like a Blitz,
Cracked open the Rolladen, and peeked through the Schlitz.

Dear accents,
Congratulations. It’s about time someone took up where Steve
& Anne (from The Written Word) left off.
Jeff Gomes, Deutsch-Australische-Freundschaft e.V.
Dear Editor,
I just wanted to let you know that accents magazine is being
warmly received and read by visitors to our library. We’ve
nearly run out of copies of the first edition. You’ll have to send
double the amount next time.
Julia Arnold, Director, American Library, Karlsruhe
Dear accents,
The article about bilingual children’s experiences in Germany
was so interesting that I sent a copy of it to my son and his
English teacher, who live in Bavaria. Thanks! Alex Woodruff
Dear accents,
We very much enjoyed reading your article in Edition 01 about
school children learning English. As promoters of the Neckar-
Alb region we’ve developed an advertisement related to this
theme (Ed: see back page). The very positive reaction to our ad
shows that we’ve struck the right chord at the right time. Anja
Neuhaus, Project Manager, Region Neckar Alb, IHK, Reutlingen
accents magazine
Libanonstraße 58, 70184 Stuttgart,
editor@accents-magazine.de
The moon on the breast of the new fallen Schnee,
Gave view of a man ... in a Mercedes sleigh.
I couldn’t believe it, my gaze it was frozen!
A white bearded man wearing red Lederhosen!
The sleigh he was driving was clean as a lick,
I knew in a moment, it was schwäbisch St. Nick!
More rapid than a Porsche, his coursers they came,
He whistled and shouted and called them by name:
Now clean it! Now dust it!
Now kehren und saugen!
On wash it! On scrub it!
On Brezeln mit Laugen!
His eyes how they twinkled! His nose red and gnarly.
It looked like St. Nick liked his schwäbische Schorle.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work.
He dusted and polished, with a schwäbische quirk.
As I peeked from the stairway, tried not to smirk!
Then he sprang to his sleigh, where his reindeer did stand,
But being a German, he first shook my hand.
Seeing no presents I yelled, „Nicky, nicht fahren!“
His schwäbische reply, „Wir müssen doch sparen!“
I sighed to myself as he drove out of sight,
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
By Liz Gaiser

What do you miss about Christmas?

This was the question we posed to readers
in the first edition of accents. We found
this response the most inspiring. Here’s
the story of someone who heartily missed
something at Christmas – and decided to
do something about it.
What I missed most about Christmas was
singing carols. There are many lovely Ger-
man carols, of course. But I could only join
in singing the old traditional English ones
occasionally on the BBC World Service
radio. So I decided to teach my Volkshoch-
schule classes to sing them. Gradually, we
built up a repertoire. When I explained how
people gathered on December 24 th, near
the Christmas tree on Trafalgar Square in
London, to sing carols every year, one class
member suggested we do the same thing
in front of the Christmas tree in the Ploch-
ingen market place! We chose the Sunday
afternoon before December 24 th. Since then
(12 years ago) it has become a Plochingen
tradition enjoyed by locals and visitors from
all around. Come and join us this year on
Sunday, December 19 th, at 3:30 pm! (Hot
punch is available to warm up cold toes.)
Ann Noisternig, Ebersbach
Ann wins this PONS picture dictionary.
Other entries to receive a PONS prize
include David Skevington of Freiburg and
Steven Trevallion of Kirchentellinsfurt.

4 Letters accents magazine


Staying Active
US election
The US Presidential election may be
over, but US political activists in Baden-
Württemberg are not going to sit around
waiting for the next presidential cam-
paign. Katharine Schmidt reports.
It’s all over. Bush beat Kerry. Or, in other
words, Republican President George W.
Bush defeated his Democrat rival, Senator
John F. Kerry, in the US Presidential election
in early November. Campaign commercials
are fading from memory and strategists in
both major political parties are busy once
again with the daily grind of politics. But in
Germany and in other European countries,
expatriate voters are promising to remain
active, following an unprecedented increase
in their level of participation in an election.
Political activism usually drops off after
a presidential election, according to Henry
Nickel, chairman of Republicans Abroad in
Germany. But that’s not the case this time.
“People are e-mailing me, calling me, and
asking, ‘What comes next?’” says Nickel.
“They’re fired up. We’ve got a lot of enthu-
siastic people.” Says Republicans Abroad
president in Stuttgart, John Gerrish: “For a
long time Americans outside the USA were
not politically involved or active. This year
more of them voted, just like Americans
inside the USA.”
Democrats Abroad, which has seen
Just the right medicine
42nd Street benefit
A dose of 42nd Street helps the medicine
go down – or at least it did at a Tübingen
hospital in autumn. Michelle Anderson
reports.
Touched by the way the medical staff at
the Tübingen Children’s Clinic cared for
his son during a bone-marrow transplant,
Kevin Pedersen, the owner of the George
& Dragon English pub in Stuttgart, decided
to organise a special treat for the doctors
and nurses.
“I found out that many of the staff were
interested in musicals but never had time
to go and see one. So I decided I’d bring
the musical to them,” he explains. The
enterprising Englishman arranged for 25
performers from the cast of 42nd Street
(some of whom he knows) to be picked up
by a bus in Stuttgart and be driven to the
Children’s Clinic. The cast put on a special,
private show in front of 200 delighted
accents magazine
News and Events
Photo: www.johnkerry.com
Photo: www.georgebush.com
membership double and the number of Gary Anderson, professor of political science
country committees increase from 28 to 70 at Zeppelin University in Friedrichshafen,
since the 2000 election, wants to “keep says the major political parties are now
that energy going,” according to international paying more attention to expatriate voters
spokeswoman Sharon Manitta. Within days than when he first started teaching in
of the Democrats’ defeat, Manitta and Germany in the late 1980 s. “They’re trying
other members of the organization met in to get votes from any corner they can.”
Amsterdam to begin making plans for the The two major business organizations linking
next four years. Democratic activists in US and German companies differed slightly
Baden-Württemberg say that while they are in their post-election statements. The
disappointed with the results of this year’s American Chamber of Commerce in Ger-
presidential election, they will stay involved many says that following the election it
in US politics. “We’re looking toward the expects the traditionally good economic
future,” says Charles Keene, chairman relations between Germany and the US to
of the Heidelberg chapter of Democrats continue. The German-American Business
Abroad. “When appointments to the Club, however, says: “It’s more important
Supreme Court come up, we’ll be running a than ever to develop the important relation-
postcard-writing campaign to the senators ship between German and American busi-
and representatives in our home states.” nesses.”
children, parents and medical staff. One ill stop laughing at the spectacle, reported
child in particular, who had not smiled since doctors. The 42nd Street cast and crew
the day she’d arrived at hospital, could not donated their time, Stuttgart’s public trans-
portation authority (SSB) donated the use
Photo: APOLLO Theater Stuttgart
of the bus, and everyone walked away with
smiles on their faces.
“After spending weeks at the hospital
watching these doctors and nurses at work
with my son I realised these guys would
do and give anything for the welfare of the
children there,” says Pedersen. “I just
wanted to show them my thanks.”
Help support the work of the DKMS,
the German Bone-Marrow Donor Bank
(www.dkms.de), by donating financially to:
The cast of
42nd Street DKMS
at the Tübingen
Children’s Clinic. Kreissparkasse Tübingen
Bank Code (BLZ): 641 500 20
Account Number: 255 556
News and Events 5

Deutsch-Amerikanisches Zentrum
James-F.-Byrnes-Institut e.V.
Charlottenplatz 17
(Inner courtyard, entrance 3)
70173 Stuttgart
Telephone 0711 228180
www.daz.org
6 News and Events
Stress-free Business Forum
Promoting international trade
A new international business forum has that many business people face similar
been founded in Baden-Württemberg, legal, accounting and trading problems,
aimed at promoting foreign trade, particularly says Jordan. “They can then work together
trade with the United Kingdom. The Inter- to find solutions to those problems.”
national Entrepreneurs Forum is a creation
of the British Chamber of Commerce in
B-W. The idea is to allow business leaders
to gather to discuss issues of mutual
concern away from the everyday stress of
commercial dealings.
“Business groups and clubs do already
exist for B-W employers interested in inter-
national trade. But we wanted to create
something different,” explains Helmut
Jordan, British Chamber of Commerce
chairman in B-W. “Business people need a
relaxed atmosphere where they can freely
exchange views with colleagues. During
normal business negotiations business Founders of the
people have to pay attention to every word International
Entrepreneurs
they’re saying. A forum for a free exchange Forum. Third from
of ideas will be an asset.” right: Helmut Jordan.
An open discussion of issues often reveals
Beer and tea
Stuttgart Book Fair
Beer drinking in Britain is an art form in December 10 th. Four different kinds of tea
itself – so say drinking experts. Whereas will be drunk and there will be readings on
Germans prefer their beers to be light in the themes of tea and tea drinking.
colour, Brits don’t mind their ales being About 2,000 books from and about the
dark-red, brown or black. And, what’s UK will be on display at the Book Fair.
more, they can be served warm!
You can taste the delights of British
beers at a “Literary Beer Tasting” evening,
December 3 rd, as part of the Stuttgart The 54 th Stuttgart
Book Fair at the Haus der Wirtschaft. The Book Fair, 2004
Nov 18 - Dec 12
feature country at this year’s Book Fair, Daily 10 am - 8 pm
which runs until December 12 th, is the Haus der Wirtschaft
United Kingdom. Willi-Bleicher-
For a change of scene, you can also Straße 19, Stuttgart
www.buchwochen.de
attend a “Literary Tea Tasting” evening on
accents magazine

Erwin Staudt, President, VfB Stuttgart
Swabian Modesty Meets American Business
“Be Part of It!” The slogan rings out, in
English, at the end of a new advertising
spot showing in cinemas. There are images
of children playing football, people cheer-
ing, red and white banners, upbeat music.
This isn’t a new music video or an obscure
car advert – it’s part of the new campaign
to double the currently 20,000-strong
membership of Stuttgart’s premier football
club, VfB Stuttgart.
The club’s president, Erwin Staudt, is
behind the advertising drive. Staudt has
been a VfB fan since childhood. He is now
living out a dream to take his local club into
the international arena. He’s been lauded
for the professionalism and the pep he’s
brought to managing VfB, and for leading
it to become one of Germany’s most
successful teams over the last four years.
However, few people realise how much
Staudt has borrowed from American busin-
ess ideals and English-language culture to
put his plans into action at VfB.
“What I admire about the Anglo-Saxon
world is how consistently they follow
something through, how they put a plan
into action and get things done,” he says.
A former head of the German subsidiary of
the American computer giant IBM, and a
fluent English speaker, Staudt concedes
that Swabians have a more reserved
attitude to marketing than Americans. But
he says he’s had no problems within VfB
Stuttgart introducing his rather unorthodox
brand of aggressive, American-style pro-
motion. “Modesty is one of the foremost
qualities of the Swabian way of doing
things,” Staudt says. “But we have to mix
that with a degree of outspokenness and
aggressiveness – to be on the offensive.
You need this in business and you need it
in sport if you want to be successful and
be a winner.”
One of his key reforms at VfB is the
introduction of the American business con-
cept of a ‘balance scorecard’. It involves
tallying a number of key statistics about the
organisation – in VfB’s case, these include
the number of stadium visitors, fans, and
club members – into a summary score
sheet, to keep management continually
informed about successes and weak spots
within the organisation. Staudt is now
accents magazine
Profile
being approached by other clubs and orga-
Photo: VfB Stuttgart
nisations that also want to implement the
concept. But why does VfB need this? It’s
only a football club, isn’t it?
No, says Staudt. VfB Stuttgart is also an
important cultural institution. Baden-Würt-
temberg is a major economic region and
an international business center. It is home
to world-class opera and ballet companies,
and to other outstanding cultural institu-
tions. But Staudt argues that no city is
complete without an internationally recog-
nised sports team, which brings media
attention to the city. VfB aims to become
that team – it’s on the international offen-
sive. And the language of that offensive is
English. “The reason why we do a lot of
marketing activities in English is because
we’re dedicated to becoming a part of a
European football community, to appeal
to a European audience. We now also
have our internet site in English (www.
vfb-stuttgart.de). That’s clearly the inter-
national language of sports.”
Not only is the marketing language Erwin Staudt,
English, some of the tactics are American. President,
VfB Stuttgart: “I’ve
Children are an important target group. had no problems
“Appealing to kids is a very sensible at VfB introducing
thing for us to do in the marketing of VfB American-style
Stuttgart, because if you persuade kids to promotion.”
support you, you have your customers of
tomorrow. That’s why no VfB player will tower, but rather to see how we can borrow
turn away a child without giving them an better ideas from elsewhere and adapt
autograph – they’ll be fined if they do so.” them here,” Staudt adds.
The focus on children is not limited The high-profile advertising drive for new
to seeing them as customers. VfB has members is succeeding. Before Staudt’s
established a boarding school, which has presidency, club membership hovered
so far recruited ten youngsters who show around the 7,500 mark. It’s nearly tripled
promise as football players. The aim is to under his leadership, providing the club
expand that number to 40. The children with a more solid financial base. But this
are scouted from sports clubs not only in success has been achieved during a more-
Baden-Württemberg, but also from outside or-less continuous VfB winning streak.
Germany. A number of local schools co- What if the team starts losing? According
operate in the scheme, offering flexible to Staudt, members won’t desert the club.
learning hours to allow time for intensive Membership is like a marriage agreement,
football training. “The aim is to give talen- he says – mostly, it’s a lifetime commit-
ted youngsters a Top Gun-style education. ment. And what do you get as a member?
This is an idea, borrowed from the US A better chance of getting tickets, for one
military, of taking the best of the best and thing. But more important, you get to be a
making them even better,” says Staudt. part of it.
“Thirty years of working for an inter-
national company like IBM taught me to By Maki Kuwayama
see the world not just from my own church
Profile 7
Feature
One-Stop Shopping
This festive season, Christmas shoppers and New Year’s bargain hunters in
Baden-Württemberg will encounter a retail environment more and more influenced
by trends from English-speaking countries. Andrea Loper reports.
It’s Wednesday evening in a new shopping
mall near Stuttgart and everyone is on a
mission. Couples hurry in and out of grocery
stores, mothers try to quieten small children
while they chat with shopkeepers, friends
meet for coffee, teenagers gather to com-
pare their latest purchases. It’s just another
extended evening of retail therapy. But
it’s not a scene you would have found in
Baden-Württemberg just a few years ago.
First of all, shops wouldn’t have been open
at this time during the week. And second,
the building of this new shopping mall might
not have attracted investors had it not been
for a gradual shift in German preferences
to American-style malls that group large
retail stores, smaller shops and bistro-style
eateries.
US and Anglo shopping trends are slowly
changing the face of the German shopping
landscape, albeit not without local influence
on the overall design. And some local tradi-
tions, particularly in the Christmas season,
are holding their own.
It used to be that Germans favored
shopping in small, local stores and paid for
everything in cash. But those habits are
Esslingen’s Christmas
market includes
a medieval market
complete with music,
pantomime and
games.
changing, with the introduction of credit-
card and bank-card payments, customer
appreciation days, coupons, discounts days,
store chain newsletters, interactive web-
sites and – most significantly – longer
shopping hours. All of these innovations
are imports from overseas. Another import
is the huge American-style shopping mall,
which offers the convenience of a multi-
tude of shops under one roof, with plenty
of parking, and areas within the mall to
take a break.
“Shopping malls have certainly gained a
foothold in Germany but that doesn’t mean
the USA-style shopping model is always a
success here,” says Rüdiger Pleus, from
the German Council of Shopping Centers.
“In the United States there are so-called
urban entertainment centers – massive
shopping centers built in the empty green
belts around a city, with shops and cinemas
and a bowling alley and stages with non-
stop entertainment – they just don’t work
here. This idea of linking shopping with
‘pleasure’, creating a sort-of ‘shopping
pleasure park’ just hasn’t taken off in
Germany.”
What is ‘in’, according to Pleus, is the
development of another type of shopping
mall, one which borrows from the American
experience but is adapted to German shop-
ping needs and conditions: the downtown
mall. “Roofed-over shopping malls are being
built,” says Pleus, “But they’re smaller
and work best in inner-city areas, or at the
edges of cities, where there are links to
public transportation, and where one can
wander through the city streets as well.”
Glass Galleries
Shopping galleries, as they are popularly
called in Germany, are springing up all over
Baden-Württemberg. It remains a challenge,
however, to find the required space for
such centres in the patchwork-quilt struc-
ture of many German cities. And when the
real estate can be found, the investment
costs can be high due to the several decks
of parking and the underground technical
facilities that are required. Still, German
cities are approving planning permits for
these scaled-down malls, and happily boast-
ing about their new shopping environments.
The latest is the SchwabenGalerie in
Stuttgart-Vaihingen. The closing of the
Schwabenbräu Brewery made it possible to
redevelop an entire block in the center of
Vaihingen. With a 125-million euro invest-
ment by local businessman Rudi Häussler,
this atrium-style shopping center is located
right in the heart of the neighborhood.
It boasts an underground parking lot and
45 shops and businesses under one roof.
It also has a community center and a 400-
seat theater. The SchwabenGalerie is also
close to bus, subway and suburban train
connections.
 “We certainly have borrowed from inter-
national shopping trends and ideas for
the design and operation of this shopping
center,” says SchwabenGalerie manager
Bettina Schmid. “As in the United States,
we think it’s very important that shopping
in a big center becomes an enjoyable, a
pleasurable experience. We wanted to put
shopping, eating and parking all under one
roof.”
A gradual liberalization of shop opening
hours in Germany over the last decade
has made it possible for this new wave of
smaller-scale shopping malls to succeed.
“Opening hours are gradually becoming
more flexible and that’s a trend that’s
borrowed from overseas,” says Schmid.
“It definitely would have been difficult to
have built the SchwabenGalerie with the
opening hours of seven or eight years ago.
Greater flexibility has opened up opport-
unities for centers like this to be built.”
The 1200-space, fully-lit, underground
parking garage is another attraction. Not
every German shopping center has invested
so heavily in parking. Shoppers and shop
assistants alike see the advantages. “I
like working here because there’s lots of
parking,” says Harry Reith, a Media
Markt employee. “It’s easy for customers
(and staff) to get here by train or by car.”
Shopper Udo Josef agrees: “I’ll come here
more often now because it’s convenient
and parking is easier – if I buy something,
parking is free for the first one-and-a-half
Where can I get Christmas crackers or
mince pies? Where can I buy decorations
and Santa Claus paraphernalia?
At an English Shop (or its equivalent) near
you! Baden-Württemberg has a range
of stores selling specifically English,
American or English-language wares.
Here’s a list of some of them to help you
with Christmas and New Year’s shopping.
Freiburg
Celtic Connections
Gerberau 1, Martinsgasse
Tel 0761 35823
Irish, Scottish and English products for
sale including clothes, whiskies, biscuits
and jewellery.
Photo: Esslinger Stadtmarketing & Tourismus GmbH.
Heidelberg
Piccadilly English Shop
Kürfürstenanlage 62
Tel 06221 167772
Teas, whiskies, beer, biscuits, groceries,
cards, books, as well as DVDs and videos
for sale and for hire. Baden-Württemberg’s
biggest English store.
Karlsruhe
Celtic Connections
Lammstraße 7a
Tel 0721 29622
Irish, Scottish and English products
including clothes, biscuits and jewellery.
accents magazine
hours.”
Longer opening hours and greater con-
venience for car drivers may be overseas
influences but Bettina Schmid says the
Schwaben Galerie doesn’t follow the
American mall model slavishly. “It’s very
much a German shopping center,” she
says. “We don’t have non-stop entertain-
ment on a stage, as one sees in America ...
We don’t have central air-conditioning ...
And we don’t have a fully-staffed infor-
mation desk in the center – that would be
too expensive here.“
Shopping alternatives
Managers and owners of new, inner-city
malls have to be wary of offending small
shop owners just outside their doors. Many
Germans still prefer to do their shopping in
smaller specialty stores, or combine a visit
to a mall with a stroll through the city center
– especially if there’s a Christmas market
in town.
Christmas market stall owners don’t
provide large-scale parking, a constant
indoor temperature, and all-under-one-roof
shopping. Instead, their customers are
forced to huddle in the freezing cold, sand-
wiched between thousands of others, and
wander between small huts asking, “How
much does this cost?” every minute. But
many Germans argue nothing beats shop-
ping in a Christmas market. “There’s some-
thing unique about Germany’s Christmas
Konstanz
English Bookshop
Muenzgasse 10
Tel 07531 15063
B-W’s only book store that stocks
exclusively English-language titles. Around
15,000 books as well as tapes and CDs.
Mannheim
English Country Store
Draisstraße 35
Tel 0621 106554
A taste of the English countryside:
porcelain products, cosmetics, household
utensils, blankets and other goods.
Pforzheim
Piccadilly English Shop
Jörg-Ratgeb-Straße 13
Tel 07231 927097
English groceries, biscuits, teas, beer and
whisky, cards and books. DVDs and videos
for sale and hire.
Reichenbach
Scottish Whisky Shop
Danzigerstraße 16
Tel 07153 990292
A hidden oasis for whisky fans. Joint
winner of an award for the best whisky
shop in Germany, 2001.
markets. There’s a special atmosphere you
don’t get in shopping malls,” says Bernd
Böllinger, manager of Stuttgart’s Christmas
market. “There are lots of toys, decorations,
candles, handmade crafts, pottery and other
artifacts you won’t find in large stores. And
the scent of cinnamon, marzipan, roasted
almonds – and, of course, Glühwein (a hot,
sweet alcoholic drink) – fills the air.”
Some Christmas markets offer further
attractions. The city of Esslingen, for
example, stages a special medieval market.
Traditionally dressed craftsmen and trades-
women sell unique, handmade gifts. There
are displays of magic, fire-eating, traditional
art and craftwork, and games from the
Middle Ages, while music is played on
medieval instruments and actors stage
centuries-old pantomimes.
It’s not only Germans who are attracted
to Christmas markets. Baden-Württemberg
lures more foreign visitors to its festive
seasonal markets than any other region of
Germany. More than half a million foreign-
ers visit Stuttgart’s Christmas market
alone. Visitors arrive by the busload from,
above all, Switzerland, France, Austria, Italy
and Spain to hunt for Christmas bargains
and to soak up the atmosphere.
Although German retailers are borrowing
more and more retail ideas from the English-
speaking world, and attracting customers
in the process, there are some uniquely
German shopping experiences which won’t
be going out of fashion in a hurry.
John Lindsay from Stuttgart’s English Shop.
Stuttgart
Piccadilly English Shop
Schelling Straße 11
Tel 0711 2260902
Teas, whiskies, beers, biscuits, groceries,
cards and books; DVDs and videos for
sale and for hire. Four extra pallets of
Christmas goodies have arrived to help
you feel at home this Christmas.
Tübingen
British Corner
Wilhelmstraße 44
Tel 07071 688007
Crisps, marmalades, biscuits and teas,
new and second-hand books. Special
Christmas products: puddings, mince
pies, crackers etc.
Feature 9
accent on…
Karlsruhe
Karl’s place of rest
In the early part of the 18 th Century,
Margrave Karl Wilhelm, the grand ruler of
Baden, had a dream. He envisaged a
star-shaped city with a radial layout. A city
without walls. That vision gave birth to a
city on the Rhine River floodplain between
the Black Forest and the Vosges mountain
range in France – the city of Karlsruhe.
Karlsruhe was founded with the laying
of a cornerstone for a lavish royal residence
on June 17 th, 1715. The palace was much
loved by, among others, Voltaire, Goethe
and Napoleon, and the construction of
many more grand buildings followed. Today,
Karlsruhe is home to more than 270,000
people. Nationally, it’s known as a centre
for the administration of justice: it’s the
10 accent on
home of Germany’s Federal High Court and
the Federal Constitutional Court.
But it’s not only a city of grand buildings
and important lawyers. Karlsruhe also
carries the honorary title of the “Green
Metropolis,” ever since it hosted the
National Garden Show in 1967. The city has
been expanding its gardens and public
parks continually since then, as it’s been
doing with its light-rail network. If you want
to visit a city with relatively few traffic
jams, and clean, well-maintained trams and
trains, then visit Karlsruhe. Its extensive
public transport network attracts trans-
portation experts from around the world.
They marvel that a system can function so
efficiently.
Loved by Goethe
and Voltaire:
Karlsruhe’s famous
palace.
Opposite page:
the radial layout
of the city.
It’s also a city of bike riders and cycling
events. In fact, one stage of the Tour de
France – the world’s most famous bike
race – first came to Karlsruhe in 1987.
And the next Tour de France, to be staged
in July 2005, will also feature Karlsruhe.
If you’re a cycling fan, get to Karlsruhe on
July 8 th to see the finish of the seventh
stage of the Tour, when the world’s best
cyclists come charging across the French/
German border to finish a 225-kilometre
leg in Karlsruhe.
Then again, if you want to experience
the peace and quiet of “Karl’s repose” pick
another day to visit.
accents magazine
Baden’s Bridge-Builders
Town-twinnings
Town-twinning or ‘sister city’ partner-
ships – an outdated concept that doesn’t
make sense in today’s high-tech world,
right? Not if you look at Karlsruhe’s
partnership with Nottingham in the UK.
Thomas Ravel reports.
I’m beginning to get used to being wrong.
When I set out to start researching a story
on the relevance of town-twinning in a fast-
moving, on-line world, I reckoned a few
words would just about sum it up. But
taking a look at a cross section of towns in
Baden-Württemberg with partners in the
United Kingdom, I made some surprising
discoveries.
I suppose I’d envisaged town-twinning
arrangements involving a statutory once-
a-year exchange of civic officials accom-
panied by much mutual back-slapping and
plenty of hearty dinners at the taxpayers’
expense. Or at the most, lethargy and
dormancy. Fellow cynics, prepare for a
shock! I discovered a network of dedicated
and motivated people in places like Ravens-
burg, Aalen and Karlsruhe who work tire-
lessly to build bridges between their cities
and their chosen partner communities in
the UK.
Taking a closer look at Karlsruhe, I found
a well-functioning twinning link. With some
razzmatazz, the Deutsch-Englischer Freun-
deskreis (DEF) in Karlsruhe celebrated its
25 th anniversary this year, and is a driving
force behind Karlsruhe’s relationship with
Nottingham in the East Midlands region of
England.
All well and good, but do people today
really notice the difference this partnership
has made? Christa Fuß, President of the
DEF has no doubts. “We’ve made so many
Hannibal ad portas
A Karlsruhe exhibition
The subject matter in this fascinating
exhibition is Hannibal, who famously
tried to conquer Rome with his herd
of elephants, and the legendary metro-
polis of Carthage – the Phoenician
society, founded in 814 BC and
destroyed by the Romans in 146 BC.
Landesmuseum, Karlsruhe Schloss
Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am - 6 pm
Thursdays till 9 pm
Adults 8 euros
Children 6 euros
Families 16 euros
Info Hotline 0721 9266541
www.landesmuseum.de
accents magazine
friends along the way, and we are visible,
in both Karlsruhe and Nottingham. My
counterpart Alma Shipman (President of
the Nottingham-Karlsruhe Friendship Club)
and I try to make our activities interesting
and relevant to people in our communities.
We’ve been able to draw on the goodwill
of city officials to help with initiatives to
strengthen our links. Of course, more direct
financial support would allow us to do
more. But this is a community activity and
the communities may in future need to find
more financial assistance themselves”.
A look at the range of activities which
the DEF offers in Karlsruhe is impressive: a
regular English Conversation Circle; English
film evenings; bicycle tours and outings;
and participation in the annual Europe Day
events each May. There are also exchanges
between Nottingham and Karlsruhe.
Groups of club members visit each other
to keep the community links alive. Christa
Fuß is particularly proud of efforts to raise
Nottingham’s profile locally: for the last
four years Karlsruhe and Notthingham have
had a joint stand at the Karlsruhe Christmas
market. Also, to the bemusement of the
locals, the DEF stages an annual pancake
race each February on Karlsruhe’s Markt-
platz. Long may it continue!
The chief problems for twinning enthu-
siasts seem to be a lack of finance and a
lack of time rather than a lack of interest.
But more recently, another problem has
emerged: changing language interests in
the UK. As Mark Twigg, British Consul
General in Stuttgart puts it: “Spanish
has now replaced German as the second
foreign language in a large number of UK
schools, and general student exchanges
are no longer as easy to arrange.” One
Factfile
67 communities in Baden-Württem-
berg have twins in UK territories.
One of the oldest is Stuttgart/
St. Helens, dating back to 1948 when
St. Helens donated glass for church
windows in Stuttgart.
Karlsruhe/Nottingham and Tübingen/
County Durham celebrated 35 th
anniversaries in 2004, and Freiburg/
Guildford their 25 th.
Stuttgart/Cardiff will celebrate their
50 th anniversary in 2005.
town council official laments: “We used to
have no problem getting an annual exchange
with schools in our UK partner town. Now
it’s getting so difficult we’re looking at an
exchange in Ireland.”
Hard work is required to maintain ex-
changes and twinning links, admits Christa
Fuß. “It’s not enough for a town council to
try to establish a twinning link on a whim,”
she says. “There has to be a solid group
of people in the community on both sides,
linked by mutual interests, to see it through.”
Mark Twigg agrees. “I welcome anything
done at any level to correct the stereo-
typical views of Germany that are still pre-
valent in the UK. Politicians and diplomats
are a necessary part of the mix and can
be vital but they come and go. What really
matters is that friendships generated by
these links are sustained and grow.”
Hear! Hear!
Photos: Stadt Karlsruhe
accent on 11
 Arts and Culture
“All the world’s a stage but it has been badly cast”
The spirit of Oscar Wilde lives on, here in Baden-Württemberg! Two events – a stage
show dedicated to the Irish playwright, on his 150 th birthday, and a visit to Stuttgart
by Wilde’s grandson, Merlin Holland – have provided Arts Editor Stuart Marlow with
good reason to review Wilde’s legacy.
On October 16, the great Irish playwright
Oscar Wilde received a resounding tribute
at Stuttgart’s Theater der Altstadt for his
150 th birthday. That evening, the theatre’s
artistic director, Susanne Heidenreich,
and British actor Brian D. Barnes led the
audience in a hearty round of “Happy Birth-
day” to Wilde.
Barnes had just finished performing his
popular one-man-show, The Provocative
Oscar Wilde. “My agent came up with the
title for my show,” says Barnes. “When
I told him the show was not really very
provocative, he said ‘Oh, but the man
was!’ And he’s right: there are very few
authors who provoke as much discussion
and questioning as Oscar Wilde does.”
In fact, the two pioneering spirits of
modern English satirical drama were both
Irish. George Bernard Shaw and Oscar
Wilde, with their outrageous wit and dra-
matic skills, changed the nature of English
theatre. Whereas Shaw attacked the
Baden-Württemberg
visitor: Oscar
Wilde’s grandson,
Merlin Holland.
Photo: Stuttgarter Buchwochen
12 Arts and Culture
excesses of capitalism in moral tirades,
Wilde lampooned the manners of the late
Victorian London elite in a manner which
enthralled the very people he was mocking.
Flamboyant Mother
Oscar O’Flahertie Fingal Wills Wilde was
born into a Protestant Irish family in Dublin,
on October 16 th, 1854. His father, the
surgeon Sir William Wilde, was once dogged
by a scandal. In 1864 one of his patients
complained to the press that she’d been
given an anesthetic and sexually abused
while unconscious. Fortunately, Oscar’s
powerful mother, Lady Jane Wilde, was not
afraid of public opinion. A tall, witty, Irish
nationalist poet and pamphleteer, Lady Jane
Wilde displayed a challenging eccentricity
throughout her life. She not only wrote and
campaigned politically under the name of
Speranza (spirit of the nation), but taught
her son to see the world as a stage upon
which life should be acted out theatrically.
After studying classics in Dublin and
winning a scholarship to Oxford, the gifted
scholar Wilde moved to London to seek
fame and fortune. He was 22. Following his
mother’s example as a brilliant social wit,
Oscar staged incidents in real life while at
the same time creating biting satires on the
hypocrisies of middle-class, London society.
He cast himself as a playboy, whose inter-
action with friends and acquaintances was
a studied exercise in witty repartee. To add
even more of a stage character to his life,
he had his fashionable clothes tailored as
theatrical costumes. His attempt to lead
a more conventional life, by marrying
Constance Lloyd in 1884, lasted only two
years. Though he did his best to support
his wife and two sons, he abandoned
domesticity in favour of a homosexual life-
style which challenged public morality.
Says Brian Barnes: “When his sexuality
became public, when he paraded his young
pick-ups around London, it became too
much for high society. I mean the places
he took them were pretty posh!”
Wilde’s downfall was triggered by his
infatuation for a young aristocrat, Lord
Alfred Douglas or ‘Bosie’, as Wilde called
him. Bosie’s father, the homophobic
Marquess of Queensbury, denounced Wilde
as a sexual predator who was preying upon
his vulnerable son. Reacting to the slander,
Wilde fatefully sued Queensbury for libel.
The libel suit, which at first had an element
of farce, soon turned ugly. The evidence
formed the basis of two criminal prosecu-
tions against Wilde. Although he could
easily have escaped to Paris, Wilde decided
to stay and defend his principles. He was
convicted in the second trial of sexual
practices referred to as ‘gross indecency’.
In May, 1895 he was sentenced to two
years’ hard labour. Mentally and physically
weakened in prison, Wilde died bankrupt
and isolated under the pseudonym of
Sebastian Melmoth in a Paris hotel in
November, 1900.
More recently, Oscar Wilde has been
hailed as a homosexual hero and, to some
extent, a martyr. His tragic fate has been
well researched and dramatized. Why then
has his grandson and biographer, Merlin
Holland, found it so important to publish a
new book, called The Real Trial of Oscar
Wilde, about the libel trial?
“I think it’s important that we get the
truth without the sensationalism,” says
Holland, who visited the Stuttgart Book Fair
in November. “Up until now we’ve never
actually seen a proper transcript of the trial.
Here, we’ve got the actual words as they
were used. Oscar’s own account of his
position is firm and serious. On the other
hand, the crown prosecutor Sir Edward
Carson’s intimidating manner of cross-
examination certainly comes over.”
Wilde the Scapegoat?
Holland’s book adds to suspicions that
the British establishment was determined
to destroy Oscar Wilde. Edward Carson
was, like Oscar Wilde, an Irish Protestant.
But he was a conservative anti-separatist,
who later became an icon of militant Ulster
Unionism. Apart from the obvious hostility
of Carson to the Irish nationalism of the
Wilde family, Oscar’s affair with Bosie
threatened to expose scandals within the
British political establishment. Bosie’s older
brother, Drumlanrig, was said to have en-
joyed a close homosexual partnership with
accents magazine
none other than the prime minister of the
day, the Earl of Roseberry. In his recent
book The Secret Life of Oscar Wilde, Neil
McKenna contends that Bosie’s influential
father, faced with two gay sons, threatened
the prime minister with exposure if Wilde
was not made an example of. Merlin Hol-
land thinks this interpretation of the facts
is worthy of serious consideration. “If you
take the evidence as it is, it is a perfectly
reasonable conclusion to draw,” says
Holland.
In 1896 Wilde’s mother, the formidable
Speranza, died, following the playwright’s
first year in prison. This was another severe
blow to Oscar, but he did manage to
compose two major works as a prisoner: a
reflection on his life, De Profundis, and The
Ballad of Reading Gaol. In stark contrast
to the humour in Wilde’s major works, his
Ballad is a bitterly realistic poem protesting
the cold inhumanity of the prison system
and the death penalty. Nobody felt a deeper
sense of regret than Wilde himself. His
family had left for France and adopted
the name Holland to escape publicity and
Brian D. Barnes does Oscar Wilde
harassment. He was essentially isolated. In
De Profundis he writes:
“No one knew how deeply I loved and Brian D. Barnes is an English actor who come from Germany.”
honoured (my mother.) Her death was ter- enjoys the unusual distinction of being In his show The Provocative Oscar
rible to me; but I, once a lord of language, more popular in Germany than he is in Wilde, Barnes presents the story of the
have no words in which to express my England. He first came to Stuttgart’s dramatist’s rise and fall, through the
anguish and my shame. She and my father Theater der Altstadt to stage a one-man- eyes of the literary executor Robert
had bequeathed me a name they had made show in 1973. The erstwhile dramaturge, Ross, who was Wilde’s first male lover
noble and honoured, not merely in litera- Christoph Stahr – who did a lot to and remained a friend for life. Works
ture, art, archaeology, and science, but in promote English-language drama – featured in the show include Lord Arthur
the public history of my own country, in its encouraged the Englishman to perform Savile’s Crime, scenes from the play
evolution as a nation. I had disgraced that in Stuttgart on a regular basis. Barnes Lady Windermere’s Fan and The Import-
name eternally. I had made it a low by- now calls Stuttgart his “artistic home”. ance of Being Earnest, the children’s
word among low people. I had dragged it Another popular stage haunt in Baden- story The Selfish Giant, and excerpts
through the very mire. I had given it to Württemberg is Freiburg. from the poem The Ballad of Reading
brutes that they might make it brutal, and “My one-man-theatre shows started Gaol.
to fools that they might turn it into a syno- in Germany in 1958 when I was studying “Oscar Wilde mocked society and
nym for folly.” at the Brecht Theatre in Berlin. I ran out that’s probably why he’s so provocative,”
Today, Oscar Wilde’s predicament of money and had to do a solo perfor- says Barnes. “He mocked society until
appeals to many people’s sense of injustice mance,” says Barnes. “Then it spread he triumphed with The Importance of
at the way Victorian society treated those to Volkshochschulen, then the British Being Earnest, where society actually
whose sexual practices openly differed Council got behind it, and it just grew. came and laughed at itself. And then
from the norm. I’ve played in more towns and cities in just a few weeks later he was in prison.
Germany than any other country. I would This to me is the great tragedy of the
say that 70 or 80 percent of my earnings man.”

Christmas Reading
Book reviews

‘Tis the season of non-stop festive events.
The first few dinners were pleasant
enough, but now you’ve run out of con-
versation material. Perhaps this selection
of books will bring some peace of mind.
Feast: A History of Grand Eating,
by Roy Strong
Pimlico, 349 pages
This is a scholarly history of feasting in
Western civilization. Starting with ancient
Greece, it continues into the early 20 th
century, describing changes in diet and
protocol through the ages. The grand scale
and aristocratic settings which provide
the background for this book may not
seem very much in keeping with the turkey
roasting in your kitchen oven, but it might
provide some perspective on your next
dinner party.

accents magazine Arts and Culture 13

 The Truth About Christmas, are curious to know what is “behind the
Book Orders by Philip Ardagh sky” or “on the other side of rain”, read
Macmillan, 88 pages this book.
This little book answers all your Christmas
questions. For example, why have you got The Silent and The Damned,
a turkey in the oven? And why did swans by Robert Wilson
Books reviewed in accents and peacocks, favoured in medieval times, Harper Collins, 358 pages
can be ordered through our partner give way to the turkey? Casually drop a For those interested in murder, here is a
company CliC few unusual facts at the next gathering of realistic, contemporary, sun-bathed mystery
family and friends. This small-format book to escape into. A Spanish police detective,
Feast E 17 is a great gift. Javier Falcon, is confronted with a series
Jonathan Strange E 22.50 of suicides that reek of murder. The pace
The Truth About Christmas E7 Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, of the storytelling, the dark psychological
The Silent ... Damned E 22.50 by Susanna Clarke insights, pervasive post-9/11 terror, and a
The Little Friend E 13.50 Bloomsbury, 782 pages realistic portrayal of legal and political
Harriet the Spy E 13.50 During the Napoleonic Wars two English problems make this book more thought-
Hoot E 8.50 magicians are called in to help the British provoking than most thrillers.
Football: Ultimate Guide E 15.50 fight the French. Magic in England has lain
dormant for centuries, and Mr Norrell and
For orders up to 20 euros there is a his talented pupil, Jonathan Strange, are
handling and postage fee of 3 euros. rallying to revive it. At first they get on, but
Orders beyond 20 euros are sent differences of opinion and a clash of per-
free of charge. A percentage of the sonalities bring about a bitter rivalry. This is
proceeds is donated to children’s a remarkable book, written with footnotes
literacy projects. Orders placed by and close attention to historic detail. It is
December 6th will be processed divided into three volumes, each progres-
before Christmas. The deadline sively more exciting than the previous one.
for all other orders is January 15th, Illustrated with black and white sketches,
2005. To order, write to: the book has a Dickensian feel to it. But if
one could smell it, it would reek of Eng-
CLiC land: damp, lush landscapes, the descrip-
Immenhoferstraße 22 tions of slightly moist objects, occasional
70180 Stuttgart darkness, medieval British folklore and
clic@accents-magazine.de culture – there is an engaging and yet com-
pletely unnerving reality to the tale. If you

Football Idol
Kevin Kuranyi
Who is Kevin Kuranyi? We put this ques-
tion to some young readers.
“He plays for VfB Stuttgart, which is the
best club in Germany, and he is their best
striker. He also plays for Germany.”
Jonathan, aged 10
“Kevin Kuranyi is cool. Do you think I could
trade him in for my big brother?”
Philip, aged 5
Accents was able to catch up with Kevin
Kuranyi in between games and training
sessions. Kuranyi was born in Brazil, and
his family moved to Germany when he was
still a young boy. The move to Germany
and adjusting to life here reflects the exper-
iences of many of our younger readers.
accents: How do you deal with fame?
KK: It doesn’t bother me being a public
figure. I like to be there for the fans and I
take time out for them when I’m finished
with training or when I’m stopped on the
street. My private life is not negatively
affected by it.
Football Quiz
That’s “soccer” for some
We’ve got a great book – donated
by Kingfisher – to give to someone
who can correctly answer these ten
questions, and send the answers back
to us as quickly as possible.
1. What English Premier League club do
Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Freddie
Ljungberg play for?
2. In which year did VfB Stuttgart last win
the Bundesliga?
3. Which England striker did Real Madrid
buy from Liverpool Football Club during
the summer for approximately £8 million?
4. Which club achieved the German
Bundesliga and Cup double last season?
5. What Portuguese club won the UEFA
Champions League last season?
accents magazine
Children’s Corner
Is there a personal reason why you are so
Photo: VfB Stuttgart
friendly to children?
It is completely normal for me to go to the
fans and to sign autographs. It makes me
happy to bring a bit of joy to other people,
especially to children.
Tell us a little about your daily schedule.
The training schedule is always determined
by our game schedule. In a normal week,
with a mandatory weekend game, we train
two times a day. The first session is at 10
o’clock in the morning and the second is
at four o’clock in the afternoon. In addition
to that we have pre-season training in the
summer and in the winter. During that
time, we train for four to five weeks with-
out any days off.
A lot of our readers, like you, were born
abroad and have formed a bridge between
two cultures. How do you feel about
living here?
Naturally the move to Germany was not
easy. In Germany you need to be on time, Kevin Kuranyi:
for example! But I have my German roots “Naturally the
move from Brazil
from my father, and by now, I am used to to Germany
everything here and feel completely com- was not easy”.
fortable in Stuttgart.
6. Which nation won Euro 2004? Football: The Ultimate Guide to the
Beautiful Game, by Clive Gifford
7. Which nation lost the Euro 2004 final? Kingfisher, 91 pages
Lavishly illustrated, this book is an excel-
8. What VfB Stuttgart player scored a lent source of information for football fans
hat-trick in his first game this season? and for all those who feel the need to know
more about the sport. Aspects of the
9. Who was the second VfB Stuttgart game are described in detail and there
player to score a hat-trick this season in are tips for players of all levels as well as
the 3-2 away victory at Kaiserslautern? advanced strategies and tactics for games.
10. Which player, who plays his club foot-
ball for Real Madrid, captains England in
the number 7 shirt?
Send your answers to:
accents magazine
Football Quiz
Libanonstraße 58
70184 Stuttgart
Fax 0711 3102160
clic@accents-magazine.de
Childrens Corner 15
Crossovers
When Children Undertake to Understand their World
Here is a selection of books where the
main characters happen to be children.
Confronted with incomprehensible adults,
these children undertake to influence a
world they are forced to be a part of. The
first, written for adults, is the kind of book
a sly child would read under the covers
with a torch. The second is written for
children, but the harsh honesty of the main
character make it insightful reading for
adults. And the last book is a true crossover:
written for adults who haven’t forgotten
how to be kids, or for grown-up kids.
The Little Friend, by Donna Tartt
Bloomsbury, 555 pages
Festive Writing
By accents’ young readers
Many thanks for the responses to our
Christmas Competition, in which we
asked you to describe what makes your
Christmas different from a traditional
German Christmas. We’ve picked three
of our favourite responses.
It was one of my Christmas wishes to
celebrate an American Christmas. So last
year, on Christmas Eve, my dad, my mom,
my sister, grandmother, grandfather, and
my uncle and I were only allowed to open
one present. At night Santa came to bring
his presents. Now here’s the funny part.
My grandparents and my uncle did not
stay at our house. So on the morning of
Christmas Day they put on their clothes
over their pyjamas, and at our house they
simply took off (their coats so that) every-
body was in pyjamas! Then we were
allowed to open the rest of our presents.
Afterwards we had a Christmas break-
fast. Yana, aged 10
Every year our Christmas is a mixture of
British, French and German traditions.
On Christmas Eve we sing carols and tell
stories; we go to church and have a nice
16 Children’s Corner
Like a wished-for but never-received kiss,
there is a lingering longing, a speculative
“What if?” that haunts this novel. Harriet,
a precociously intelligent 12-year-old, faced
with her brother’s disturbing death more
than a decade before, tries to find out why
it happened. “What if Robin had lived?
What if the murderer is found? Will mother
be normal again?” she asks. This book is
so beautifully written, it sticks in every
crevice of the mind unwilling to let itself be
forgotten. There are no easy answers to
the untidiness of Harriet’s life – her deeply
private attempts to solve life’s mysteries
make it possible for her to get up every
morning to face each new day.
meal. On December 25 th we get the
presents, and on the 26 th we have lunch
with our grandparents, aunts, uncles, and
cousins. Vanessa, aged 14
I remember my first Christmases in
America because we lived there for two-
and-a-half years. Almost overnight the
atmosphere changed from Halloween and
Thanksgiving into the Christmas season.
Hundreds of lights decorated every house
and there were always fancy creatures in
the front yards, such as Rudolph the Red-
Nosed Reindeer. My parents always took
me for walks in the evening so we could
look at all the decorations. And one night,
we had the big “Christmas tree lighting”
in the middle of our town. The whole
neighborhood gathered and there was
carol singing and this giant Christmas tree
was totally in the dark until we counted
down from 10 to 0, and then all of a sud-
den it was all lit up! Of course Santa was
there too, and you could stand in line and
wait to sit on his lap and have a little chat
to make sure he knew ALL your wishes
... The night before Christmas was
always very exciting. We set out some
Harriet the Spy, by Louise Fitzhugh
Harper Collins, 285 pages
Another Harriet, also 12 years old, lives in
New York City. She’s an aspiring writer who
spies on her friends and neighbours. Her
disarmingly honest observations are jotted
down in her notebook. When her notebook
is read by her classmates and friends,
Harriet is faced with big changes. This book
appeals to children because of its sense of
cheekiness and adventure. But the wisps
of wisdom from a child growing up blow
like a fresh breeze through the confined
adult world of social expectations and con-
ventions. As Harriet writes: “I shouldn’t go
round with blinders but should see every
way I can. Then I’ll know what way I want
to live and not just live like my family.”
Hoot, by Carl Hiaasen
Macmillan, 276 pages
Not all acts of terrorism result in death,
especially when instigated by a 12-year-old.
To protect a breeding ground of owls from
a fast food chain, ingenious forms of pro-
test are thought up, and put to the test.
Alligators invade port-a-loos, for instance.
Highly entertaining for readers of all ages.
cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for
Rudolph and made sure the chimney was
clear so they could come down with all
the presents. And then when you woke
up the next morning, you got to open all
your gifts and play with them all day long.
Now I live back in Germany again and I
like the German way of celebrating Christ-
mas as well ... We keep our Christmas
tree until January 6 th and don’t tear every-
thing down on the 26 th like they do in
the States. Plus we have a lot more holi-
days, so it’s not all over in 24 hours!
Anna, aged 6
Photo: Stuttgart Marketing GmbH
accents magazine
accents
choice
Events
Aalen
Event
Christmas Dinner
Round Table (English acting group)
Dec 11, 6:30 pm, Torhaus
Bookings: Uschi 07361 42679
Freiburg
England’s “forgotten” North-East
An English weekend with
Dr. Roger Charlton, Saarbrücken
Dr. Karl Kunibert Schäfer, Freiburg
Jan 28-30, registration req.,
Waldhof e.V., 0761 67134,
www.waldhof-freiburg.de
Gengenbach
Adventskalender
World’s biggest advent calendar
Nov 30 - Jan 6, 6 pm, Rathaus
www.gengenbachkult.de
Heidelberg
Friends of the DAI Party
For members and non-members
Dec 4, 8 pm, Deutsch-Amerika-
nisches Institut, Sofienstraße 12,
06221 60730, www.dai-heidelberg.de
New Year’s Party at the DAI
Dec 31, 8 pm, see above
Word Up! – Poetry Slam
Poet vs. poet at the DAI
Dec 18, 8 pm, see above
Lörrach
22. Oberrheinische Narrentage
Carnival Event
Jan 15-16, www.narrentag2005.de
Reutlingen
Carnival Parade
Jan 23, downtown
Stuttgart
54 th Stuttgart Book Fair
Guest country: United Kingdom
Nov 18 - Dec 12, Haus der
Wirtschaft, Willi-Bleicher-Straße 19,
www.buchwochen.de
Holiday on Ice “Diamond Dreams”
Dec 8-12, Schleyerhalle,
www.holidayonice.de
55 th Int. Calendar Show
With 36 th Int. KODAK Photo
Calendar Prize, Jan 21 - Feb 13,
Haus der Wirtschaft
Stage
Stage
Böblingen/Sindelfingen
Smirnov’s Moscow City Ballet
Dec 16, 8 pm, Stadthalle Sindelfingen
Festival of Illusions/
Magicians’ Congress
Jan 5, 8 pm, Jan 9, 3 pm and 7 pm,
Convention Center,
Stadthalle Sindelfingen
Heidelberg
Cinderella
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s
hallmark musical, Dec 10, 11, 17, 18
and Jan 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22,
at 7:30 pm, Dec 12, 19 (special
ACS/EFMP Invited Performance)
and Jan 9, 16 at 3 pm
Patton Barracks, Bldg 109,
general public welcome,
tickets 06221 175020,
www.roadsidetheater.com
accents magazine
Freiburg
A Christmas Carol
Brian D Barnes’ One Man
Theatre version of the Charles
Dickens classic, Dec 19-22, 8 pm,
Wallgraben Theater
Lörrach
Fire of Dance
Jan 18, 8 pm, Burghof
Mannheim
Rocky Horror Show
The Original London Production
Jan 28, 8 pm, Rosengarten,
Mozartsaal
Offenburg
Lord of the Dance
Dec 10, 8 pm, Ortenauhalle
Stuttgart
Ismael Ivo –
Delirium of a Childhood
Dance, Dec 2-4, 8 pm,
Wilhelma Theater, Neckartal-
straße 9, www.wilhelma-theater.de
Oliver!
By Lionel Barth. Musical based
on Dickens’ “Oliver Twist”
Dec 3, 4, 10, 11 and
Jan 7, 8, 14, 15 at 7:30 pm,
Dec 5, 11, 12 and Jan 9, 15, 16
at 3:30 pm
Stuttgart Theatre Center – Kelley
Theatre, Kelley Barracks, Vaihingen
general public welcome, tickets
0711 7292825, www.kelleytheatre.de
The Goat or Who is Sylvia
By Edward Albee, directed by
Charles C. Urban, NEAT
New English American Theatre
Dec 9-11, 8 pm,
kkt – Kommunales Kontakt Theater,
Kissingerstraße 66 a, Bad Cannstatt
www.kkt-stuttgart.de,
www.neat-theater.de
Spirits at Christmas
An Irish Christmas: a one act
musical play, New English American
Theatre, Dec 12-13, 8 pm, Kommu-
nales Kontakt Theater, see above
A Christmas Carol
Brian D Barnes’ One Man
Theatre version of the Charles
Dickens classic, Dec 15-17, 8 pm,
Theater der Altstadt
Romeo & Juliet
TNT Theatre Britain and the
American Drama Group Europe
Live music, powerful choreography
and a simple performance style
Dec 16, 17, at 4 and 8 pm,
Wilhelma Theater, see above
Rocky Horror Show
The Original London Production
March 18, 8 pm,
Liederhalle, Hegelsaal
Exhibitions
Exhibitio
Schwäbisch Hall
Old Masters
Fürstenberg Collection,
Oct 16 - May 5, Kunsthalle Würth,
www.kunst.wuerth.com
Stuttgart
“Modernisms”
Drawings and prints 1900-1930,
Hungarian National Gallery,
Museum of Fine Arts Budapest
and the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart
Oct 16 - Jan 23
“Funny Cuts”
Cartoons and comics
in contemporary art
Dec 4 - April 17, Staatsgalerie,
www.staatsgalerie.de
Tübingen
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner
Aquarelle, Pastelle und Zeichnungen
Sept 18 - Jan 9, Kunsthalle Tübingen
www.kunsthalle-tuebingen.de
Mexico!
Tina Modotti and Edward Weston
Photography, Dec 13-23, Jan 10 -
Feb 11, Deutsch-Amerikanisches
Institut, Karlstraße 3
“Bordell und Boudoir”
Works by Cézanne, Degas, Toulouse-
Lautrece and Picasso, Jan 22 -
May 22, Kunsthalle, see above
Music
Music
Böblingen/Sindelfingen
Leonard Bernstein: Chichester
Psalms, Benjamin Britten
Dec 4, 7 pm, and Dec 5, 6 pm,
Martinskirche Sindelfingen
Stuttgart Singers
Dec 13, 7 pm, Krankenhaus,
Arthur-Gruber-Strasse, Sindelfingen
Green Day
‘American Idiot’ Tour 2005
Jan 15, Sporthalle Böblingen
Freiburg
John Lee Hooker Jr.
Dec 12, 8 pm, Jazzhaus,
www.jazzhaus.de
Heidenheim
Manfred Mann’s Earthband
Dec 18, 8 pm, Karl-Rau-Halle,
Karlsruhe
John Lee Hooker Jr.
Dec 13, 8 pm, Jubez, www.jubez.de
Ludwigsburg
US Army European Band & Choir
Dec 8, Forum am Schlosspark
Schwäbisch Gmünd
Caledonix
Scottish music, Dec 18, 8 pm,
Hofkaffee, Hertslenweiler
Stuttgart
Ian Anderson plays
Orchestral Jethro Tull
Dec 6, 8 pm,
Liederhalle, Beethovensaal
Fast Eddy’s Blues Band
Dec 16, 9 pm, Classic Rock Cafe
Soweto Gospel Choir
From South Africa. Traditional
African gospel mixed with modern
Western spirituals. Dec 25-29,
8 pm, Dec 26 also 3:30 pm,
Liederhalle
Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
Jan 12, 8 pm, Liederhalle,
Beethovensaal
ECLAT –
Stuttgart New Music Festival
accents choice 17
Jan 27-31, Theaterhaus Siemens-
straße 11, tickets 0711 4020720,
www.theaterhaus.com
Barclay James Harvest/Asia
Feb 4, Theaterhaus, see above
Jon Lord & the Gemini Orchestra
Feb 7, Theaterhaus, see above
Tübingen
Ladies Night
with Ana Popovic (Yug), Candye
Kane (USA) & Sue Foley (Canada)
Blues Concert
Jan 20, 8 pm, Sudhaus
On Tour in the Region
Uriah Heep
Dec 15, 8 pm, Scala Kultur GmbH,
Ludwigsburg, Dec 17, 8 pm,
Konzerthalle Ravensburg
The Golden Gospel Singers
From Harlem, NY, Dec 10, 8 pm,
Leonhardskirche Stuttgart, Dec 11,
8 pm, Friedenskirche Ludwigsburg,
Jan 6, 6 pm, Pauluskirche Ulm,
Jan 8, 8 pm, Ev. Stiftskirche
Backnang
The Harlem Gospel Singers
& Band
Dec 17, Stadthalle, Brahmssaal,
Karlsruhe, Dec 25 - 26,
Rosengarten, Mannheim,
Jan 9, Festspielhaus, Baden-Baden,
Jan 20-21, 8 pm, Liederhalle,
Stuttgart, Feb 13, Konzerthaus,
Freiburg
Wishbone Ash
Jan 20, 8 pm, die Halle,
Reichenbach, www.diehalle.de
Feb 2, substage, Karlsruhe,
www.substage.de
English Chamber Orchestra
Solist Shlomo Mintz, violin, Jan 23,
8 pm, Convention Center, Ulm
Jan 24, 8 pm, Liederhalle, Beet-
hovensaal, Jan 25, 8 pm, Stadthalle,
Brahmssaal, Karlsruhe
Tickets can be bought at
Booking-offices, by calling
Easy-ticket service 0711 2555555,
www.easyticket.de
SWR 1 ticket service 0180 5929211
Lectures/Discussions
Freiburg
Lecture
Arab Cinema:
History and Cultural Identity
Lecture: Cinema and the Middle
East/Hollywood und Orient, Prof
Viola Shafik, American University,
Cairo, Jan 18, 8 pm,
university bldg KG III, Hörsaal 3044,
www.carl-schurz-haus.de
Finding a Job in English
CV and Cover Letter, Andy Larrew,
USA, Jan 19, 6:30 pm, Carl-Schurz-
Haus Library, Kaiser-Joseph-Straße
266, 2 nd Floor, 0761 31647,
www.carl-schurz-haus.de
Two nations?
Race Relations and the Situation
of African Americans Today
Dr. Britta Waldschmidt-Nelson,
Ludwig Maximilian University
Munich, Jan 31, 8 pm, university
bldg KG III, Hörsaal 3042,
www.carl-schurz-haus.de
Violence as Spectacle:
Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ
Videoclips and lecture with Dr. Terri
J. Hennings, Freiburg, Feb 1, 8 pm,
university bldg KG III, Hörsaal 3044,
www.carl-schurz-haus.de
Open Dialog Discussion Group
Dec 8: Winter Holiday Party!
Jan 12: Religion in the classroom –
18 accents choice
How do German and American
schools teach kids about God?
Jan 28: Only between a man and a
woman? The gay marriage debate
Feb 9: Pets and companion animals,
Carl-Schurz-Haus, see above
Heidelberg
English-Language Video
Discussion Group
Dec 1: Jimmy Carter – part 1
Dec 15: Jimmy Carter – part 3
Dec 22: The Shakers
6 pm, Deutsch-Amerikanisches
Institut Library,
Sofienstraße 12, 06221 60730,
www.dai-heidelberg.de
Discussion group
with Dr. Steven Bloom
Dec 7: Why are there so few female
professors at German universities?
Dec 14: To what extend should
immigrants be expected to
assimilate? Dec 21: Has Christmas
become a secular holiday?
6 pm, d.a.i. library, see above
Karlsruhe
Conversation Circle:
Xmas stories, poetry, Xmas carols
Dec 21, 7:30 pm, DEF, Haus der
Jugendverbände, Anne-Frank-Haus,
Moltkestraße 24, room 4
Stuttgart
CLiC on Books
Lecture and reading on children’s
books, by Maki Kuwayama
and Liz Hawighorst. Dec 7, 8:15 pm,
Buch Cafe, Haus der Wirtschaft,
Willi-Bleicher-Straße 19
Conversation Circle: Terrorism
and its political influence
Dec 16, 7-8 pm, Deutsch-Amerika-
nisches Zentrum, Charlottenplatz
17, 0711 228180, www.daz.org
Tübingen
An Evening with a Good Book
Literature with Walter Nilson
Dec 3, 6:30 pm, Deutsch-Amerika-
nisches Institut, Karlstraße 3, 07071
795260, www.dai-tuebingen.de
Talk at Eight: Discussion Group
on Current Issues
With Laurence Stallings,
Dec 15, 8:15 pm, d.a.i., see above
Study Group: Imperial Democracy
– The Domestic Factors of Empire
With Laurence Stallings and Scott
Stelle, Dec 17 at 6:45 pm, d.a.i.,
see above
Film
Film
Freiburg
Monday Night at the Movies
(with the Carl-Schurz-Haus)
All movies with an introduction
by Prof. Dr. Jon Adams
and discussion afterwards:
Friedrichsbau-Lichtspiele at 7 pm.
Dec 13, The Human Stain , USA
2003, director: Robert Benton
Jan 10, Spartan , USA 2004,
director: David Mamet
Send your events to
choice@accents-magazine.de
Our next issue is Feb/Mar
Deadline for info: Jan 10
accents
magazine
aka-Filmclub
Films on Wednesdays in Hörsaal
2006, university bldg KG II,
Dec 15, 7:30 pm,
The Astronaut’s Wife , USA 1999,
director: Rand Ravich
Film Series
“Jesus Christ Moviestar”
Jan 19, 7:45 pm,
Jesus Christ Superstar , USA 1973,
director: Norman Jewison
Feb 2, 7:30 pm,
The Passion of the Christ , USA
2004, director: Mel Gibson
Feb 9, 6:30 pm, Dogville ,
USA 2003, director: Lars von Trier
Christmas
Xmas
Bad Wimpfen
Altdeutscher Weihnachtsmarkt
Nov 26 - Dec 12 (Fri-Sun)
Bietigheim-Bissingen
Sternlesmarkt
Dec 9 - 19, town center
Esslingen
Mittelalter- und Weihnachtsmarkt
Medieval- & Christmas Market,
Nov 25 - Dec 22, 11 am - 8:30 pm
2. Adventsmarkt, Kunst- und
Handwerkermarkt
Adventsmarket, Arts & Crafts,
Dec 4-5, Hafenmarkt
Freiburg
Weihnachtsmarkt
Nov 24 - Dec 23, town center
Internationales
Weihnachts-Zirkusfestival
Dec 25 - Jan 6, Messe Freiburg
Heidelberg
Weihnachtsmarkt
Nov 24 - Dec 22, Universitätsplatz,
Marktplatz, Kornmarkt
Herrenberg
Weihnachtsmarkt
Dec 3 - 5, downtown
Karlsruhe
Arts & Crafts Christmas Market
Nov 27 - Dec 5, 11 am - 7 pm,
Museum beim Markt
Christkindlesmarkt
Nov 25 - Dec 23
Nottingham Stall
at the Christmas Market
Organized by the German-English
Friendship Club together with
friends from Nottingham, Karlsruhe’s
twin-city. Helpers welcome!
Dec 8-12, Call 0721 74623
Carol Singing
The Pitchblenders choir
assisted by a children’s choir
from the European School.
Dec 11, 4 pm, Kleine Kirche,
Kaiserstaße/Kreuzstraße
Konstanz
Christmas Market on the Lake
Nov 26 - Dec 23,
Marktstätte and harbor
Ludwigsburg
Baroque Christmas Market
Nov 25 - Dec 22, Marktplatz
Mannheim
Weihnachtsmarkt
Nov 24 - Dec 23, Friedrichsplatz
Offenburg
Weihnachtsmarkt
Nov 25 - Dec 22, downtown
Pforzheim
Weihnachtsmarkt
Nov 25 - Dec 22, Marktplatz
Plochingen
English Carol Singing
Dec 19, 3:30 pm, Marktplatz
accents forum
Let us hear your accent!
This informal meeting is
open to anyone, who would
like add their voice to our
magazine. Comments,
criticisms, and contributions
are all welcome!
Friday, Dec 10 & Feb 13
8:30 pm
o’reilly’s irish pub
Reuchlinstraße 27, Stuttgart
accents
magazine
Reutlingen
Reutlinger Weihnachtsmarkt
Nov 26 - Dec 19,
all around the Marienkirche
Sindelfingen
Christmas Party
On the Deutsch Australische
Freundschaftsclub. Call 07031
607521 for bookings. Dec 11, 6 pm,
Park-Restaurant, Stadthalle
Stuttgart
Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt
Nov 26 - Dec 23, Marktplatz
Christmas Antique Market
Nov 26 - Dec 23, Karlsplatz
Festival of 9 Lessons and Carols
St. Catherine’s church,
Katharinenplatz, Dec 12, 5 pm,
info: hilnorman@aol.com
Christmas Caroling
Stuttgart Singers, Dec 20, 7-9 pm,
Patch Barracks housing areas
Weltweihnachtscircus
International Christmas Circus,
Dec 14 - Jan 9 at 3 and 8 pm,
Dec 14, 7 pm, Cannstatter Wasen,
www.weltweihnachtscircus.com
Tübingen
Weihnachtsmarkt
Dec 10-12, old town
Mittelalterlicher (Medieval)
Weihnachtsmarkt
Dec 18-19, Kloster Bebenhausen
Ulm
Weihnachtsmarkt
Nov 22 - Dec 22, 10 am
(Sun 11 am) - 8:30 pm, Münsterplatz
Weil der Stadt
Weihnachtsmarkt
Dec 4, 9 am, downtown
Kids
Heidelberg
Kids
Story Time for Kids
Story and craft for children
aged 3 to 6,
Dec 13, 4:30 pm, d.a.i., see above
Karlsruhe
Stories for Kids ages 6 and up:
Apple Tree Christmas
Dec 17, 4 pm, American Library,
www.amerikanische-bibliothek.de
Stuttgart
Reading by Bronwen
Dec 18, 3:30 - 4:15 pm,
Children’s English Library (CEL),
Etzelstraßse 25-27
Book Club for 9-12-year-olds
Launch Jan 22, 3-4 pm, Children’s
English Library (CEL), thereafter
every 2 nd Saturday of the month
Contact fbuttle@celstuttgart.de
accents magazine
Classifieds
Business Services
Translations English-German;
Commerce, Marketing, IT, General,
by qualified translator. Heike Maher
07022 951532, h.e.m@t-online.de
AUPAIR-ARK.de Agency for native
English aupairs. Placement all over
Germany. Special care and offers for
aupairs in the Stuttgart/Böblingen
area. Personal care and highest
possible security. Short term nanny
avail. (speech therap.) 07031 677921
LEAVING GERMANY? In need of
a new tenant? We can help! No fees
for landlords or previous tenants.
Please contact: Wohn(t)raum for
families 07031 678024
Or email to: lifrika@yahoo.com.
Contact with Others
Looking for native speakers in
Stuttgart to chat and play, Susan
(36) and Cynthia (1 1/2). E-mail to
skramer@surfeu.de
English for Kids
Koala English Club: English for
children. Learn with Bob the Koala.
Or come to practice your mother
tongue. Small groups, lots of fun!
Classes also available for adults.
Michelle 0711 23283103 or The
American Institute 0711 1817865
Employment
Assistant wanted on mini-job/
temp basis for business start-up in
marketing: www.englishtalk.net/jobs
Native speakers wanted with
financial/technical/business
experience and excellent inter-
personal and language skills.
Freelance work. Contact: andrina.
rout@fokussprachen.com
Seeking Employment
Bilingual secretary, native speaker
seeks part-time work in Filder area.
Contact fam.guenther@gmx.net
or call Karen, 0711 799424
Get involved!
accents magazine
is seeking your support.
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then get involved!
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The deadline for the Feb/Mar
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Seeking to Rent
Family of 4 seeking 4-room (3 BR)
apartment with garden close to
or in Stuttgart-West for long-term
rental. Contact 0711 6361169
classifieds 19
accents New Zealand
030 206210, Friedrichstraße 60,
Berlin
guide South Africa
030 220730, Friedrichstraße 60,
Berlin
United Kingdom
0711 162690, Breite Straße 2,
Stuttgart
United States of America
069 75350, Siesmayerstraße 21,
Frankfurt
Emergency
Emerg Schools & Preschools
Police 110
Fire Department 112
Ambulance & Emergency
ools
International School
Medical 19222 of Stuttgart e.V.
Poison Hotline 0761 19240 0711 7696000, Sigmaringer Straße
English Speaking Poison 257, Stuttgart, www.international-
Control 06131 232466 school-stuttgart.de
Doctor for House Calls Internationaler Montessori
0711 2628012 Kindergarten e.V.
0711 93150510, Sulzgrieser
Straße 114, Esslingen
Consulates Little English House Gerlingen
English & Art for kids 3 and up
sulates
Australia
0711 816253, Hauptstraße 18/1
European School Karlsruhe
0721 683001, Albert-Schweitzer-
030 8800880, Wallstraße 76-79, Straße 1, Karlsruhe
Berlin Little English House Aalen
Canada English & Art for kids 3 and up,
0711 2239678, Lange Straße 51, 07361 610165,
Stuttgart Stuttgarter Straße 116
Ireland English Garden
030 220720, Friedrichstraße 200, English and music lessons, 0761
Berlin 8866181, Hasenweg 34, Freiburg
Oberlin Kinderuniversität
0761 85648,
Am Mühlbach 13, Freiburg,
www.oberlinkinderuniversitaet.de
International School
of Kreuzlingen Konstanz
0041 71 6722727
Hauptstraße 27, Kreuzlingen,
Switzerland, www.iskk.ch
English for preschoolers
and first graders in Freiburg
0761 1378177 Cathy Plog,
plogs@t-online.de
Libraries
Librari
Children’s English Library e.V.
Etzelstraße 25-27, Stuttgart,
Tue 4-6 pm, Fri 3-6 pm, Sat 2-5 pm,
www.celstuttgart.de
Deutsch-Amerikanisches Zentrum
Charlottenplatz 17, Stuttgart,
Tue-Thu 2-6 pm
Deutsch-Amerikanisches
Institut Tübingen
Karlstraße 3, Tue-Fri 1-6 pm
Karlsruhe American Library
0721 72752, Kanalweg 52,
Tue-Fri 2-6 pm, Wed 10-12 am,
Sat 10 am-2 pm,
www.amerikanische-bibliothek.de
Deutsch-Amerikanisches
Institut Heidelberg
Sophienstraße 12, Mon-Fri 1-6 pm,
Wed 1-8 pm, Sat 10 am-2 pm
Carl-Schurz-Haus Freiburg
Kaiser-Joseph-Straße 266,
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 1:30 pm, 3-6 pm
Clubs & Organizations
Clubs &
Deutsch-Amerikanisches Zentrum /
James-F.-Byrnes-Institut e.V.
0711 228180, Charlottenplatz 17,
Stuttgart, www.daz.org
Metropolitan Club e.V.
0711 9980124 Mathew Dorrman,
18-35 years, www.metclub.de
Stuttgart Conversation Club
0711 8892252 Ed Wilson,
35 years and up, www.metclub.de
Stuttgart Book Club
Helen@StuttgartBookClub.de
German-American Club 1948
0711 814270 Eberhard Stein
German-American
Women’s Club Stuttgart
info@gawc-stuttgart.de,
www.gawc-stuttgart.de
Anglo-Stuttgart Society
0711 568113 Günther Jaumann,
www.jaumann.de/ass
British Club Stuttgart
0711 455464 Alison Seyerle
International Choir of Stuttgart
0711 769600912 Carola,
int_choir_stuttgart@hotmail.com
Stuttgart Singers
07159 44991 Kathy Williams,
www.stuttgartsingers.de
Stuttgart German-American
Community Chorus
0711 463463 David A. Beckner
German-American Seniors Club
0711 2560867 Hildegard Göhrum
German Conversation Group
07032 77919 Elena Fieres
International Toastmasters Club,
Stuttgart, Heidelberg, Karlsruhe,

Is your group missing?
Then tell us all about it!
info@accents-magazine.de
ygroups
accents
magazine
Freiburg, Ulm
presentational skills in English,
www.toastmasters-stuttgart.de
English-Speaking Stammtisch
S-Untertürkheim
0711 3041337 Derek Evans
Deutsche Australische
Freundschaft e.V.
07031 607521 Jeff Gomes,
www.deutsch-australische-
freundschaft.de
Friends Club International e.V.
Böblingen-Sindelfingen
07031 806522 Jan W. Boon
“Here We Are”
International Group Esslingen
07163 8580 Alison Unrath
English Morning Tea Aidlingen
07034 7339 Ellen Zeller,
Wed 10 am - 12 pm
Deutsch-Amerikanisches
Institut Tübingen
07071 795260, Karlstraße 3,
www.dai-tuebingen.de
Anglo-German Club Pforzheim
07231 472155 Dr Maurice Claypole,
www.agc-pforzheim.de
Pro Country e.V. Deutscher
Country & Western Dachverband
07150 33212 Ralf Russig,
www.pro-country-ev.de
English-Speaking Circle Starzach
and Landkreise Freundenstadt,
Tübingen & Zollernalb
07478 8290 Kevin MacInerney-May
Schorndorf English Club
07181 64440 Marion Rube
Deutsch-Amerikanisches
Institut Heidelberg
06221 60730, Sofienstraße 12,
www.dai-heidelberg.de
German-English
Friendship Club Karlsruhe
0721 74623 Christa Fuß,
info@def-karlsruhe.de,
www.def-karlsruhe.de
International Women’s Club
Karlsruhe e.V.
Annemarie Frenzel, Postfach
110448, 76054 Karlsruhe
Verein Deutsch-Amerikanischer
Freundschaft Pfullendorf
07552 6249 Dr Gary Anderson
Carl-Schurz-Haus Freiburg
0761 31647, Kaiser-Joseph-Straße
266, www.carl-schurz-haus.de
Network of English-Speaking
Women e.V.
07664 962450 Candice Siegenthaler,
neswomen@gmx.de
British International
Villingen-Schwenningen
07721 53278 Carol King,
www.bivs.gmxhome.de
Deutsch-Irischer Freundeskreis (dif)
0711 2361736, www.dif-bw.de
accents magazine
Verband der Kelley Theatre
Deutsch-Amerikanischen Clubs e.V. Kelley Barracks, Stuttgart,
07156 29164 Mi-Kiyoung Wöhler, 0711 7292825, www.kelleytheatre.de
www.verband-dt-am-clubs.de N.E.A.T.
New English American Theater
0711 634320, Stuttgart,
Kids & Playgroups urban.spy@z.zgs.de,
www.neat-theater.de
English Playgroup Stuttgart-West
Outcast International
0711 634409, Stuttgart,
www.outcast-theater.de
0711 6361169 Bryan Groenjes, Anglo-Irish
EKiZ Ludwigstraße 41-43, Theatre Group Tübingen
0-6 years, Wed 4-6 pm 07071 67968 David Hegarty,
English Playgroup Stuttgart dave@anglo-iren.de,
0711 613955 Oona Roxburgh, www.anglo-iren.de
Schubartstraße 12/14, 0-9 years Roadside Theater
www.englishplaygroup.de, Patton Barracks, Heidelberg,
English Playgroup at the DAZ
Stuttgart
06221 175020,
www.roadsidetheater.com
0711 228180 Kirstin Fuchs, Theaterhaus TiG 7
4-8 years, Tue & Thu 3-4 pm 0621 154976, Theater Trennt e.V.
English Playgroup Böblingen G7, 4 b, Mannheim, www.tig7.de
07031 287647 Stefanie Spence, The maniACTS Freiburg
0-7 years, Wed 3:30-5 pm University English Department,
English Playgroup Sindelfingen www.maniacts.de
07031 873823 Christine Mitlacher,
2-5 years, Tue 3:30 pm,
Mitlacher-sifi@t-online.de Political Groups
Photo: Stuttgart Marketing GmbH
Political
American Voices Abroad Tübingen
fritz.hackert@arcor.de,
www.americanvoicesabroad.org
Democrats Abroad
06221 3780
Charles Keene, Heidelberg,
www.democratsabroad.org
Republicans Abroad
07146 20677
John W. Gerrish, Stuttgart,
www.republicansabroad.de
Business Organizations
siness American German Business Club
e.V. Stuttgart, Heidelberg,
Karlsruhe
0711 2486078 Peggy Stinson,
English play- and activity group President, stuttgart@agbc.de,
in Altdorf www.agbc.de
07031 818763 Liane Kamin, American Chamber of Commerce
0-7 years, Thu 3:30-5:30 pm in Germany e.V.
St. Georg MKK English 0711 1667156 Prof Dr Roderich
Playgroup in Bonlanden C. Thümmel, Regional Chairperson,
07127 960046 Mhorag Heger, www.amcham.de
0-7 years, Tue 3:30-5:30 pm British Chamber of Commerce
English Playgroup in Germany e.V.
Herrenberg/Nebringen 0711 25540460 Prof Helmuth
07032 77452 Erika Laudenbach, Jordan, Regional Chairperson,
0-5 years, Mon 3-5 pm www.bccg.de
Meet, Chat and USA forum Tübingen
Playgroup Waldenbuch
07157 8561 Elaine Rauhöft,
Fri from 4 pm onwards
07071 55970 Bernd Zeutschel,
www.usaforum.de
English on a Friday Afternoon
Tübingen Religious Services
07071 930466 Günter Henke,
Fri from 3:30 pm onwards
English Reading Group Freiburg
Mütterzentrum Weingarten, St. Catherine’s Church
Reli
Krozingerstraße 11, (Anglican) 07151 68973,
0761 286803 Amanda Lampert or Katharinenplatz 5, Stuttgart,
07666 99126 Fredi Trenkle www.stuttgartanglicans.de
City Chapel e.V. Stuttgart
0711 6142956 Roland Krumm,
Theater Groups Marienstraße 12, www.citychapel.de
Anglican Church of Freiburg
Theate
A.C.T.S. Anglophone
0761 904693 Minister Rev Robin
Stockitt, Katharinenstraße 9,
www.anglicans-fr.org
Collaborative Theatre of Stuttgart International Baptist Church
0711 6858370 Stuart Marlow, Stuttgart-Vaihingen:
smarlow@hdm-stuttgart.de 0711 6874365 Pastor Jay McFadden;
Heidelberg-Sandhausen:
06224 51516 Pastor Richard Blake;
www.ibcstuttgart.de
First Church of Christ, Scientist
0711 6207921 Heinz Clauss,
www.christian-science-stuttgart.de
Evangelical Methodist Church
Stuttgart: 0711 251984
Dr Hans-Martin Niethammer;
Reutlingen:
07121 78546 Harald Rückert;
Karlsruhe: 0721 43721 Peter Vesen;
www.emk.de
Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints
Stuttgart:
0711 3419240 Ralf Gierschke;
Mannheim:
06223 809040 Dr Frank Heckmann,
www.lds.org
Church of the Nazarene
0711 551147 Mary Schaar,
Friedenskirche, Bad Cannstatt
Evangelical Students
Community Tübingen
07071 61928 Heidi Abe
English Vesper Service Tübingen
Sun 6 pm, during the university
semester, 07071 51475,
www.institut-urchristentum.org
St Columban’s
Mission Karlsruhe
(Anglican) 0721 28379
Dr Hanns Engelhardt
Calvary Chapel Freiburg e.V.
0761 7071333 David Pham,
www.ccfreiburg.de
Movie Theaters
Movie
CinemaxX Bosch-Areal, Stuttgart
0711 22007979, www.cinemaxx.de
Corso, Stuttgart-Vaihingen
0711 734916, Hauptstraße 6,
www.corso-kino.de
Kommunales Kino Stuttgart
0711 221320, Friedrichstraße 23 A,
www.koki.de / filmhaus
Kommunales Kino Esslingen
0711 310595, Maille 5,
www.koki-es.de
Scala Filmhaus Mühlacker
07041 3884, Bahnhofstraße 65
Kino-Center Weil der Stadt
07033 2241, Badtorstraße 21
CinemaxX Freiburg
0761 20281400, Bertholdstraße 50
Friedrichsbau-Lichtspiele
0761 36031, Kaiser-Joseph-
Straße 268
Sports
Sports
American Football Verband
Baden-Württemberg e.V.
0621 7624567 Andreas Stehle,
www.afv-bawue.de
Baden-Württembergischer
Baseball- und Softballverband
0711 705682 Jan van den Berg,
www.bw-baseball.de
Basketballverband
Baden-Württemberg e.V.
06224 975150 Roland Dopp,
www.bbwbasketball.net
Heidelberg International
Ski Club Charter
06221 767539 Margaret McGinley,
www.heidelbergski.com
Rugby Association
of Baden-Württemberg
0172 7384207 Jimmy Collins,
www.rugby-bw.de
accents guide 21
Labyrinth
Flat out
Finding accomodation
This section of accents is aimed at helping
newcomers find their way in Germany. In
this issue: tips on accommodation.
Walk into any flat for rent in Germany, and
you’ll be lucky to be able to switch on a
light. There’ll be no light bulbs, no kitchen,
no bathroom to speak of. A washing
machine? Furniture? Ha! There might be
a functioning toilet and a basin but don’t
expect to find much else.
Flats for rent are listed in many news-
papers. Look for Immobilien (the property
section.) You’ll see flats to rent, Vermie-
tungen, and flats to buy, Wohnangebote.
However, many of the terms in advertise-
ments may be confusing, even if you
understand a bit of German. A so-called
“three room flat” has TWO bedrooms and
a living room, as well as a kitchen and a
bathroom. The rental price given at the end
of the ad may not include so-called Neben-
kosten (extra costs) like garbage disposal,
heating and water costs. If you can decode
something like: 3 Zi, 80 qm, 2 OG, BJ 85,
ZH, Ka, KM 700,– into: two bedroom flat
to rent, 80 square metres, on the second
storey, built in 1985, with a deposit to be
paid, for 700 euros per month, not inclu-
ding heating and water costs etc., then you
shouldn’t have too much trouble finding
what you want.
Move!
Fun with tenants
If you’re planning on buying a house or
a flat in Germany, my friends, this is THE
MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION TO ASK
before you sign the contract. Are there
people living in the house? In Germany
there is no such thing as an eviction notice.
I repeat, NO SUCH THING! Getting a
family to move is one thing, but try
getting an entire commune out of your
house.
It’s known as a WG (Wohngemein-
schaft): several people sharing an apart-
ment or house. In our case several was
an understatement. There were four people
on the lease and several permanent
visitors. None of them had any intention
22 Labyrinth
You can get a real estate agent, a
Makler, to help you, although many of the
ads in newspapers are placed by agents
anyway. And in Germany, it’s not the land-
lord who pays the agent’s fee but you as
the tenant, so be sure to ask if the person
showing you through a flat is an agent or
the owner.
When you move into any house or flat
you have to register with your local authori-
ties at the Einwohnermeldeamt. If you fail
to do so, you may incur a fine. Once you
move into rented premises you enjoy more
rights and privileges than tenants in many
English-speaking countries. For example,
it’s not all that easy for a landlord to evict
you. On the other hand, if you’re buying a
flat that’s already rented out, make sure
you find out when the existing tenants are
going to move – you won’t be able to ‘kick
them out’ so easily. (See article below.)
Rights and privileges are balanced by
responsibilities, the most important of
which – and one unique to Baden-Württem-
berg – is Kehrwoche (cleaning week). It’s
a custom that often confuses (and annoys)
not only foreigners but Germans who move
to B-W from other states. In southwest
Germany it’s rare to find a housemaster or
building owner who cleans the corridors
and paths within and around a house; the
job is shared on a rotating weekly basis by
of moving anytime soon. We thought
once we bought the house, the people
would move. But, according to law
73760, paragraph 13,076, line 4 of the
Rights of German Renters Handbook,
they didn’t have to move until they found
suitable and comparable living arrange-
ments. So we continued to live in our
tiny one-bedroom apartment with our
two children. Meanwhile, our tenants
continued to live in OUR four-bedroom
house, merrily barbecuing in OUR back-
yard while enjoying a beer on OUR patio.
And here’s the real kicker: the house
was just around the corner, so we could
actually see them down there in the
backyard from up on our tiny balcony.
After four months, the tenants called
us. No, they hadn’t yet found a place to
live. The toilet was broken. My husband
went right over. The toilet, we decided,
needed serious work. Probably the entire
each tenant or flat owner in the building.
Best ask one of the neighbours to explain
their particular roster system, and what
exactly needs to be swept, cleaned, scrub-
bed and polished around the house before
your turn comes up.
Opting to live in a shared flat (Wohnge-
meinschaft or WG) won’t excuse you from
Kehrwoche but at least the work (or the
wrath of the neighbours) can be shared.
Shared flats are not only found in news-
papers, university or college notice boards
are a good place to look. Or you can look
up a central website, www.mitwohnzen-
trale.de, which provides phone numbers of
agencies dealing in shared accommodation.
This website also has helpful tips and
advice, in English, on renting, letting or
subletting shared premises.
Let there be light!
A single light bulb
might be all you’ll
find in a German
flat for rent.
plumbing system as well. We proceeded
to rip out the toilet and half the down-
stairs plumbing. “Not to worry,” my hus-
band told them. “You still have the toilet
in the attic cubbyhole.”
The longer the commune took to find
another place to live, the longer we took
to fix the plumbing. And because God
does answer prayers, the kitchen sink
and the dishwasher both broke. We told
them they were more than welcome to
buy a new sink and a dishwasher. Eight
people sharing one attic toilet and no
kitchen to speak of hastened the apart-
ment search considerably. Two months
later, our long days in landlord hell
mercifully ended.
So remember, when setting out to
fulfill your dream of owning a home in
Germany, avoid houses with tenants!
By Liz Gaiser
accents magazine
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