During October half term, seven Sixth Form pupils studying German travelled to Berlin and Leipzig to improve their German skills and broaden their cultural knowledge of the country. Highlights included a visit to the Abgeordnetenhaus (Berlin’s parliament building) where we joined discussions on topics such as Brexit, a meeting with Greenpeace about climate change, and a visit to the multi-cultural Kreuzberg with a guide from Lebanon who had grown up there.
In the evenings we attended two theatre productions. The first, Klassenbuch, was a contemporary production about 21st century social issues that affect youth today. The acting was astounding, although the colloquial language was a challenge for us. The second play was an improvised production in the style of Alfred Hitchcock, where the audience decides various elements of the play, such as location and props. We were very impressed by the quick wit of the cast.
For the last few days of the trip, we stayed in Schulpforte, a boarding school about 40 minutes from Leipzig, set in a former monastery with cloisters, historic stone buildings, and surrounded by beautiful green meadows. We went to lessons with the pupils and enjoyed experiencing a different school system. The nearby town of Naumburg is home to the Naumburger Dom, a cathedral that has just been approved as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it was truly awe-inspiring.
For our last day, we went to Weimar, home to Goethe and Nietzsche. The cultural atmosphere was delightful, and we also enjoyed a lunch of pork, sauerkraut and dumplings!
Ruben Sector (S)
