German Academy Adelaide

Der Winter hat begonnen…stay warm and learn German! ❄️🇩🇪

Karl Lagerfeld (1933 - 2019) was one of the most influential fashion designers of the 20th and 21st centuries. Born in Hamburg, Germany, he became internationally renowned for transforming luxury fashion through his creative work with Chanel, Fendi, and Balmain.

Known for his instantly recognisable white ponytail, black sunglasses, fingerless gloves and detachable collars, Lagerfeld reinvented fashion for a modern generation while still respecting its history and elegance.

🖤 Interesting Facts:
• He spoke several languages, including German, French, and English
• He dropped a ‘T’ from his name (Lagerfeldt) because he felt it was more commercial.
• He was a self-taught photographer and often shot his own fashion campaigns 📸
• His cat, Choupette, became so famous that she had luxury accessories and millions of fans online 😺
• His personal library boasted over 300,000 books.
• He worked in fashion for over 60 years and remained creatively active until his death in 2019

💬 “Sweatpants are a sign of defeat. You lost control of your life so you bought some sweatpants.”

Fendi FashionIcon Germany Designer GermanLanguageCulturalSpotlight

OUR TEACHERS (In alphabetical order)

Vanessa Kreusch
MA (Potsdam University, Germany: Foreign Language Linguistics for German & English as a Second Language)

Having already assisted and taught at the German Department at the University of Adelaide (as well as us) in 2020, Vanessa has since returned from her native Germany for a PhD scholarship position in Linguistics and Language Teaching at the University of Adelaide - and we are delighted to have her back!

With multiple years of experience at private language institutes and schools across Berlin and her ongoing involvement at Adelaide University, Vanessa has taught adults and children of various backgrounds and ages from beginners to advanced levels. 

She has a keen interest in language acquisition, is deeply committed to teaching German language and culture including lots of conversational practice - and loves the challenge of making complex grammar accessible to all learners.

Es hat angefangen! The is back until 27 May at Palace Nova Cinemas and is screening a range of outstanding new films, including a range of 2026 Deutscher Filmpreis nominees. Be sure to check out ‘Amrum’, ‘Berlin Hero’, and ‘School of Magical Animals 4’ to name a few.

To see the full German Film Festival Program, check out the link here: https://germanfilmfestival.com.au/films/ger26-prosecution

Step back in time and immerse yourself in the world of the Brothers Grimm. Cinderella, or Aschenputtel in German, is a cherished fairytale, brought to life by State Opera South Australia from 7–16 May.

Enjoy the exhilarating retelling of this timeless story by experiencing Rossini’s ‘La Cenerentola’ story on stage, which replaces fairy-tale magic with dazzling vocal performances, spirited comedy and musical brilliance.

👉 Get your tickets now to see this enchanting piece of opera: https://stateopera.com.au/productions/la-cenarentola-2026/

Join renowned historian (and our very own advanced German student) .doering, to discover the remarkable German craftsman who built North Terrace’s great landmarks, the thinkers who shaped its cultural life, and the musicians who filled its concert halls. Along the way, you will meet extraordinary Germans whose ideas, skills, and talents define Adelaide itself. Expect a fast-paced, story-rich experience you will not forget.

🗓️ 2, 16 & 30 May
⏰ 10am - 12pm
💰$20 per person

Tickets are available here: https://festival.history.sa.gov.au/events/germans-on-north-terrace-walking-tour/ #:~:text=Discover%20the%20remarkable%20German%20craftsmen,and%20talents%20define%20Adelaide%20itself.

Running in Adelaide from 6 to 27 May at Palace Nova Cinemas (East End & Prospect), the 2026 German Film Festival line-up features a standout selection of films. Expect everything from gripping true stories and powerful dramas to feel-good family films and comedy, including a curated selection straight from this year’s Berlinale Film Festival.

Join The German Club on Friday, 17 April for their ‘Brat & Brew Fest’.

Enjoy quality German food, drinks & sweets at great prices!

❤️ Premium selection of German wursts, Thüringer Bratwurst, Cheese Kransky, Bockwurst (sausages! : ), or try grilled German meatballs (Frickadellen) 🧆

🥘 Giant SA’s best giant schnitzels - choose from traditional pork or chicken. Served with homemade German pasta (Spaetzle) & gravy

🍲 Vegetarian lentil stew with homemade pasta (Spaetzle)

🥨🍰 Irresistible fresh German cakes & giant pretzels

🎊 Great atmosphere

🎵🪗 Live music

🍻 Best range of German Beers & Schnapps

🍷 Quality wines, ciders & non-alcoholic options

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Family friendly

😃 Free entry. All welcome

Bookings appreciated to assist our volunteers with food preparation to make sure we have enough for everyone! To purchase tickets, please click on the link: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1563861

Did you know that the Easter Bunny has German roots?  🇩🇪 🥕

Known as the ‘Osterhase’ (Easter Hare) in Germany, this by now internationally famous figure finds its first written mention as early as the 16th century in Germany, where the folk belief of a hare hiding coloured eggs originated! 

German migrants then brought the tradition to the US in the 18th century, where children would start building nests 🪺 for the ‘Osterhase’ to lay its eggs into.

Whilst the Easter Bunny as we know it (as well as its chocolate counterpart! 🍫) is a German creation, the symbolism of rabbits or hares and eggs ringing in new life and spring🪻dates back much further and to pre-Christian times.

Some believe Easter to be linked to the Germanic goddess ‘Ostara’ (English ‘Eostre’) whose sacred symbol was - you guessed it - the hare! 🐇