Germania in Tenth Tear
Studenten-Verbindung Germania Completes a Decade Of Study of German Culture and Language
TEN YEARS AGO under the leadership of Professor Stephan J. Schlossmacher, the Deutscher-StudentenVerein was founded at Dartmouth College in order to promote among the students an interest in German culture and German life. In addition, it promoted the study of the German language and encouraged a cultural relationship between the United States and the German speaking peoples of the world. 1933 brought forth a change in the name of the club from DeutscherStudenten-Verein to Studenten-Verbindung Germania.
The activities of the fraternity take several forms, the most frequent being the weekly meetings in 48 Robinson Hall, where the members go to hear lectures, enjoy singing, and have informal get-togethers. During the year, several plays are given, the two most important taking place at the Weihnachtsfeier and at the Stiftungsfest in May. German movies and concerts sponsored by Germania also add to the variety of the program. In addition to the dramatic activities and the lecture activities, Germania has been fortunate in sending three orchestras abroad, playing on the North-German Lloyd and Hamburg-American liners during the summer vacations. Besides this unusual activity the Verbindung has engaged in sponsoring the German table now in Thayer Hall Colonial Room, formerly in Stell Hall, for the last ten years. Here meets a group of men for their daily meals, in order to further their ability of the spoken language under the supervision of the faculty advisor.
In 1930 the Weihnachtsfeier was instituted and has continued to be one of the Christmas play a regular annual affair. The Verbindung's talent, however, has not been confined solely to Hanover, for their plays have been presented at Middlebury College, and McGill University.
Germania has also been instrumental in bringing to Hanover many of the best German movies available. These have been well received not only by members of Germania, but also by the students of German and townspeople.
The lecturers who have spoken to Germania must be mentioned, too, because they have been instrumental in furthering the purpose of Germania. Among the speakers have been Professor R. C. Nemiah, Professor L. Verriest, Professor L. D. Pearson, Professor A. R. Foley, Professor S. J. Schlossmacher, Professor R. W. Jones, Doctor H. Burian, Max Montor, Professor W. C. Behrendt, the famous German baritone Hans Merx, and many others.
This year's program has been, as usual, made up with an eye toward a pleasing variety. At the first meetings in October, Robert Simmons and Harrison Butterworth gave short talks on their summer school experiences in Munich and Middlebury. The following week Professor R. W. Jones lectured to Germania on "Deutsches Theater und Kino." On October 19 H. E. Sommer talked about his school and vacation experiences in Mexico. These short talks by members of Germania have proven very interesting to all of us. The policy of getting the students better acquainted with German culture was followed in Mr. R. E. Partridge's lecture on "German Folk Songs" and Professor C. P. Lathrop's talk on "Great German Painters shown at the World's Fair Exhibition in New York in 1939." On November 7 a monthly banquet and lecture program was instituted, in order to add good fellowship and solidarity to the Verbindung. At this first banquet Professor A. R. Foley gave a very interesting lecture on "Early German Settlers in the United States." Mr. Roland Leich's talk on "Schumann's zweite Symphonie in C Dur" was given on the following Thursday. At the second monthly banquet Professor R. V. Leffler of the Economics Department spoke on "Financial Problems in Germany." On January 11 W. R. Vaughn gave an illustrated lecture on "Wagner's Ring at Bayreuth."
For the Weihnachtsfeier this year Kleist's "Der zerbrochene Krug" was capably and pleasingly rendered before an audience of two hundred in Robinson Hall. After the play refreshments were served to members of Germania, faculty, and friends.
This semester's program included "Humor und Musik auf Schallplatten" on February 15th, and a very enjoyable film, "Der Mann der Sherlock Holmes war." This picture was shown in the club room, departing from the usual custom of showing them at the Nugget. A short play, "Er ist nicht eifersuchtig" was given on February 29, a play which has been presented before by Germania and which is received with acclaim.
On March 7th at the Burschung of the pledges at the Dartmouth Outing Club Professor F. Denoeu of the French department spoke of his remarkable experiences as a Captain in the French Army during the present second world war. Professor Schlossmacher, on March 14th, gave an illustrated lecture on "Schiller's Tell in Interlaken," which he saw during his travels through Switzerland and Europe last summer.
The rest of this semester's program included a movie, "Der Edelweisskonig" at the Nugget, a lecture by Professor R. Robinson on "A. Lortzing and German Comic Opera," another film, "Traumulus" in which the superb Emil Jannings was starred, and a lecture by Dr. Arthur Linksz of the Dartmouth Eye Clinic on "Deutsche in Ungarn." In addition, Mr. G. Nitze, President of the U. F. A. Films of New York, spoke at the banquet which took place on April 18 th. An evening of "Lustiges" aus Heft, Buch, Zeitscrift und Zeitung followed on May gth. Then on May 18th Germania celebrated its tenth annual Stiftungsfest, when a play, "Erster Klasse" by Ludwig Thoma, a banquet, and dance were given. Then to end up the year a reception will be given for the members of Germania of the graduating class.
Thus will have ended the first ten years of Germania at Dartmouth, ten years of success because the purpose of Germania has been well achieved—"to promote knowledge of German culture and life, to create the feeling of fellowship among its members, and to promote cultural relationships between the United States and German speaking peoples of the world."
STUDENTEN-VERBINDUNG GERMANIA CELEBRATES TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF FOUNDING. HERR DIREKTOR SCHLOSSMACHER STANDING SECOND ROW RIGHT
