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Eastern Michigan German program to celebrate Brothers' Grimm Fairy Tales during annual German-American Day celebration, Oct. 1

by Emily Vontom, Published September 17, 2012

The Department of World Languages at Eastern Michigan University will be hosting its 8th Annual German-American Day on Monday, Oct. 1 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. in the Student Center. Eastern's celebration is one of many across the nation that will celebrate National German Week October 1 - 7.

"German-American Day was established as a way to celebrate and honor the 300th anniversary of German-American immigration and culture in the United States," said Margrit Zinggeler, a professor of German at Eastern. "Eastern's celebration is a platform for recognizing the many contributions of Germans to the modern world."

This year's theme, "The Grimms Are In: Celebrating 200 Years of the Brothers' Grimm Fairy Tales and their American Adaptations," will be the focus of German-American Day.

"Since it is the Bicentennial of the first publication of the Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales this year, the German program is collaborating with Halle Library," Zinggeler said. "We will have an exhibit on the Brothers Grimm's publications that have been translated into over 160 languages."

In 1812, brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm published the first collection of the Kinder- und Hausmärchen (Children's Household Tales), simply known as the Brothers' Grimm Fairy Tales.

The Disney film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" introduced America to Grimm's fairy tales in 1937. American culture and the entertainment industry have been inspired by the stories ever since.

There will be many activities during the celebration, including:

• An opportunity to Skype with Dr. Sascha Feuchert, Eastern's first honorary professor from the Justus Liebig University in Giessen (where Eastern students attend during their study abroad experience).

• "Why are the Grimms In?" presentation by Professor Margrit Zinggeler.

• "What is German Magic in Business?" keynote presentation by Fred Hoffman, honorary consul of Germany.

• Story telling with Eastern students studying German. The event will include games and prizes.

• An authentic German fairy tale dinner that includes German baked potatoes with green sauce, German roasted chicken, Rapunzel salad, German bread, apple cider, apple strudel with vanilla sauce and coffee.

"Our students and professors have organized a unique, interdisciplinary celebration," said Zinggeler. "This is always a very student-centered event."

The event is open to the public. For more information or to reserve a seat, please contact Margrit Zinggeler at mzinggele@emich.edu.