Newsletter of the Embassy of the Federal
Republic of Germany in Ottawa
Summer 2014
TOP ARTICLES
+ “The Beautiful Game”
and other sports
+ Fall of the Berlin Wall
Contest for Canadian
high school students
+
“In nigh on half a
century of watching
football, that's the
most extraordinary,
staggering, bewildering
game I've ever
witnessed.”
– Former soccer
player and current
sports broadcaster
Gary Lineker
commenting on the
World Cup match
Germany vs. Brazil
Dear Reader,
Anybody who witnessed at least parts of
Germans are of course exalted to see their
yesterday’s World Cup game between
team reach the World Cup Final for the first
Germany and Brazil will surely forgive us for
time since 2002. A victory at this Sunday’s
a blatant display of soccer mania in this
match would be a remarkable coincidence,
edition of our newsletter. The match
an anniversary gift of sorts: It was 60 years
certainly left fans of both teams stunned and
ago, on July 4, 1954, that Germany won its
might have silenced forever the ‘not enough
first ever Soccer World Cup title. Against all
scoring’ argument against soccer
odds: the Nationalmannschaft was facing an
sometimes heard on this side of the Atlantic!
almost impossible challenge
more on
2
(Our Fall of
the Wall
Contest for
Canadian
high school
students)
as its opponent Hungary had remained unconquered for four
This month, we are proudly announcing an art contest open
entire years up to that point. Moreover, just six minutes into
to all high school students across Canada. We are calling
the game, the first goal was scored by Hungary, with another
for original artwork in any medium (painting, drawing, video,
making it 2:0 only two minutes later. As a German radio
photo, sculpture, text, audio…) on the subject of the fall of
reporter commented: “Just what we had feared has come to
the Wall. Lucrative prizes beckon: a tablet computer, a $100
pass.” But then something happened which today is dubbed
gift certificate, and more. Canadian students, unleash your
the “Miracle of Bern”: the German team scored the next goal
creativity! Contest details can be found below.
and even managed to equalize just a few minutes later – with
a winning goal coming just before the end to make it 3:2.
And to get back to the ubiquitous subject of soccer: We
would like to cordially invite you to a FIFA World Cup Final
The victory in Bern was not only a sporting highlight,
Viewing Party. Whether you side with the German national
however. As prominent political scientists and historians later
squad or not (yet), join us for a cheerful celebration of the
observed, it marked “the moment the Federal Republic of
“beautiful game”. Space at the event is limited, please see
Germany was really born”. It gave rise to a mood of optimism
below for the details and registration link.
and new beginnings that ultimately helped bring about the
country’s economic miracle.
Another formative event in Germany’s history was of course
the fall of the Berlin Wall 25 years ago – an anniversary
celebrated by all of our newsletters this year.
Wishing you an extraordinary summer and looking forward
to communicating with you again in September,
The Editorial Team
+
SPORTS NEWS
FIFA World Cup Final Viewing Party
hosted by German Embassy
As World Cup fever continues to take over Ottawa, the Embassy of
Germany to Canada is inviting the public to a FIFA World Cup Final
Viewing Party at the ambassador's residence. Come and cheer on the
(@Shutterstock)
German team in their first World Cup Final since 2002! Registration is on
a first come, first served basis and space is strictly limited. >> more
60th Anniversary of
the “Miracle of Bern”
On July 4, 1954, against all odds, Germany won the Soccer World Cup in
Switzerland. To some it marked “the moment the Federal Republic of
Germany was really born”. It gave rise to a mood of optimism and new
(©dpa)
beginnings that ultimately brought about the country’s economic miracle.
>> more
FIFA U-20 Women's World
Cup Canada 2014
While all eyes are on the FIFA Men's World Cup Brazil, in only a few
weeks the world's top women soccer players under the age of 20 will be
on their way to the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Canada 2014. In the
group stage, Germany's Mannschaft will play the U.S.A. in Edmonton on
(©dpa | Germany playing Canada at
U-20 Women's World Cup 2008)
August 5, China in Edmonton on August 8, and Brazil in Montreal on
August 12 – before hopefully advancing to the second stage. >> more
German Leon Draisaitl, top 3 NHL draft
pick, excited to join Edmonton Oilers
Donning the Edmonton Oilers’ traditional orange and blue as the No. 3
NHL pick meant something special to Leon Draisaitl: "They’ve had so
many great players on their team: Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, (Craig)
MacTavish…" The apple never falls far from the tree: Leon's father Peter
(©dpa)
Draisaitl is a hockey legend with 146 games for Germany's national ice
hockey team under his belt. >> more
+
GERMANY-CANADA
Interview series “I am German”
with two new portraits
Our interview series “I am German” features people in culture, education,
the economy and other sectors of life who share their experiences about
living in "The True North". This month: Interviews with Bavarian treasure
huntress Birgit Rameseder (Chief Geologist for De Beers, the world's
(@Shutterstock)
leading diamond mining and exploration company) and with Ronny Pahl,
traveling journeyman in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. >> more
Canada welcomes its first
Falling Walls Labs
Canada welcomes its very first Falling Walls Labs at McMaster University
in Hamilton, Ontario and at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. All
young researchers, entrepreneurs and high-potentials are invited to apply
(@Falling Walls Foundation)
and share their research work, ideas and initiatives. The winner of the
Falling Walls Labs will travel to the Finale in Berlin. >> more
+ 25 YEARS SINCE THE
FALL OF THE BERLIN WALL
Berlin Wall Contest
We are announcing a high school contest open to students all across
Canada on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin
Wall. Any original artwork on the subject of fall of the Wall will be
(©German Embassy Ottawa)
accepted. The German Embassy looks forward to your participation and is
curious about your creative ideas! >> more
When we were 17: Youth at the
crossroads
In its new series “When we were 17”, Deutsche Welle explores a century
of youth in Germany: from the Wandervögel to Hitler Youth, from hippies
to Monday demonstrators – the role of young people can say a lot about a
(©DW)
country's attitude towards freedom and democracy. Part five of the series:
“1989: In jeans and leather jackets, a generation finds freedom” >> more
The last GDR Ambassador in Paris
On July 4, 1990, Stephan Steinlein received his official “agrément” from
France, allowing him to become the last Ambassador of the German
Democratic Republic in Paris. He then completed his diplomatic training in
Bonn – having already served as an ambassador. Today, the theology
(©AA)
graduate is State Secretary at the Federal Foreign Office. He takes a look
back. >> more