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Archive for the ‘German Embassy & Consular Offices’ Category

Dear Stammtisch Friends

It’s all about crime fiction this weekend. From 3 – 5 May, Newcastle Noir will feature over 25 crime fiction related talks, panels, readings, film screenings and writing workshops. There are also over 80 authors from all over the world coming to Newcastle to tell us about their crime and noir work.

From Germany, there is a session on Saturday afternoon with Simone Buchholz, the winner of the German Crime Award 2019 (Deutscher Krimipreis) for ‘Mexikoring’. All the Newcastle Noir events will be hosted at the City Library in Newcastle.

On Brexit – click here for information on the latest FAQ update from the German Embassy – status 4 April 2019.

Until 22 May 2019, young researchers have time to apply for the prestigious “Green Talents – International Forum for High Potentials in Sustainable Development” competition. This is hosted every year by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research to promote the international exchange of innovative green ideas. The winners come from numerous countries and scientific disciplines and are recognised for their outstanding achievements in making our societies more sustainable. Selected by a jury of German experts, the award winners are granted unique access to the country’s research elite.

I recently read an interesting article about a Columbian student in Austria. Katherin Reina helps other students of German on Instagram with photos of images or activities using post-it notes. Check it out!

Have a great bank holiday weekend!

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Dear Stammtisch Friends

The German Embassy has just updated its FAQ section on Brexit and it is worthwhile checking this again when progress has been made. On the same website you will also find information videos as well as guidance from the EU Commission.

The ‘Bundesministerium fuer Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur‘ has also issued Brexit information based on the current status.

The Martin-Luther-Church in Newcastle will also host an information event for EU citizens on Thursday, 28 February from 7pm. If you would like to attend, please register here (limited places). Speakers will include representatives of the German Consulate in Edinburgh, an immigration lawyer from Derbyshire Law Centre and the CEO of Newcastle’s Citizens Advice Bureau.

The German Chamber of Commerce (DIHK) also issues a monthly Brexit newsletter for businesses – here is a link to the latest and previous editions.

German citizens in the UK will be able to participate in the forthcoming European Parliament Elections in Mayclick here for further information on how to register.

I have also been contacted to promote an information event for German speakers interested in training as Blue Badge Tourist Guides for North East England. This event will take place in Newcastle city centre on Monday 25 February between 6.30pm and 8.30pm.

UK German Connections currently invites applications for the German Pupil Courses (deadline 1 March 2019). These are two-week courses in Germany for UK pupils studying German. There are three courses every summer for 12 pupils and one accompanying teacher each.

Comedian Henning Wehn is again in the region and added another date – 20 February – to his tour dates at the Whitley Bay Playhouse, with some tickets still being available.

And while on the lighter subjects – you may enjoy two of the stars of the Bafta winning ‘The Favourite’: Rachel Weisz & Emma Stone are having some fun with some British sayings, which may not be well-known by Americans (never mind non-English native speakers!).

Have a great week & see you soon!

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Dear Stammtisch Friends

There are quite a few events happening, which you might fancy:

This Saturday, 22 September will see the launch of THE INNER EYE at the Side Gallery in Newcastle. This exhibition explores the narrative of documentary photography in the German Democratic Republic, featuring over 250 images by 13 of the key photographers.

On Sunday, 23 September there will be another ‘Kaffeeklatsch’ in the Kaffeehaus Amadeus in Lanchester. If you want to come along between 3 – 5pm, please let Bernhard know, just email him: servus@kaffeehaus-amadeus.co.uk.

Europe Direct North East England will host two more Brexit events here in the region:

Brexit, Business & Trade: Tuesday, 30 October from 08:30am – 10am in the Stadium of Light Sunderland – click here to register
Brexit & Higher Education: Thursday, 1 November from 6pm – 7:30pm in the Calman Centre, Durham University – click here to register

The German Embassy has also recently updated the FAQs for German Citizens in the UK. It may be worthwhile to check out this site from time to time if you want check what advice there is.

It appears that ‘The Oktoberfest‘ has become another successful German ‘export’:

The Broad Chare will go all Bavarian between 29th September to 6th Octoberclick here for further information. I have booked a table for the Stammtisch on the ‘Tag der Deutschen Einheit‘ – on Wednesday, 3 October 2018 for 7pm. If you would like to join us on the day, please email me as places are limited.

The Tyneside Bar Cafe is also celebrating with German beers & food from Friday, 12 October to Sunday, 14 Octoberclick here for further information

From 25 – 28 October, there will be another Oktoberfest in Times Square in Newcastle.

And if you have missed Comedian Henning Wehn’s ‘Get on with it’ show – he has added another date to his stay at the Whitley Bay Playhouse: 21 February 2019.

Enjoy the start of autumn!

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Dear Stammtisch Friends

With the weather starting to feel a bit more like spring time, I thought I might just let you know about a couple of German-related events, which will happen here in the region.

On Saturday, 31 March 2018 there will be a Beer & Food Festival in the Buck Inn in Chop Gate, Teesside. You will be able to enjoy a BBQ, 10 German and English beers and plus live music and even an Oompah band. The Beer Festival will start at 2pm and last until 10pm.

In April, on Saturday the 21st, the Discovery Museum in Newcastle will host an event entitled: “Hope, Pork’s Glory and Decline – The Story of German immigration on Tyneside”. Historian Karl-Heinz Wuestner will take you back in time and tell the story of those immigrants from southern Germany. Northern Cultural Projects will also be in attendance, displaying information from their ‘Hunting the Hun‘ project.

And as we’re always on the look out for German food places, here’s another tip for you. But if you are regularly travelling to London, you may have already discovered the ‘German Gymnasium next to Kings Cross?

Brexit is still on many people’s mind and one EU citizen, Annette Dittert – decided to publish her thoughts: ‘London Calling – Als Deutsche auf der Brexit Insel

With regards to Brexit, you may also find the FAQ section on the German Embassy‘s website useful. The European Commission has also issued some more guidance for EU citizens on this website.

Businesses may also be interested in Brexit related events organised by:

The North of England Chamber of Commerce – Thursday, 29 March @ Crown Plaza
Institute of Directors – Thursday, 29 March – Webinar
Institute of Export – Post-Brexit Planning Workshops – various dates

I am also currently looking for an experienced ‘Synchrondolmetscher‘ English/German for a client in the North East. Please contact me directly.

On the education side, the German Embassy is inviting again nominations for the Annual German Teacher Award. If you know any outstanding teachers at a school here in the North East or somewhere within the UK, please click here for the nomination form. The deadline for submissions is 7 May 2018.

And I’ve just seen an article about a study, which highlighted Franconian city, which apparently beats San Francisco, Paris or Rome with regards to quality of life 🙂

I hope you enjoyed our update and I will soon let you know about our next Stammtisch.

Have a lovely weekend!

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Dear Stammtisch Friends

Just to keep you updated regarding any changes for German citizens following the UK’s decision to leave the EU. There is an FAQ section on the Consular Website for Germany, which you may find helpful, in particular while the UK and EU are in negotiations as it states the current situation. The EU has a similar website for EU citizens in general – click here.

Even though we hear just about the ‘divorce’ in the media, you may be interested to learn that the UK and Germany have just announced doubling of funding for a youth exchange initiative, the ‘UK-German Connection‘. Click here for the press release .

If you are a German national and would like to vote in September’s German elections, you need to make sure to register – click Bundeswahlleiter for further details.

Congratulations to the Lake District, which recently achieved Unesco World Heritage status. This will surely bring another boost of visitors to this beautiful part of the UK and make it even more well-known around the world. It shares this status with Waddensee, a nature reserve for which Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands have responsibility for.

One of the best things about Munich, in my opinion, is its beer gardens. If you are visiting and you wonder where they are all located, check out the City of Munich’s ‘Biergartenfahrplan‘.

Holidays are always a great time to improve your language skills. Growing up in a country helps of course – Sandra Bullock is a prime example with her perfect Franconian accent. However, some native English speakers like Mark Twain, found it more frustrating and he ended up writing an essay about our ‘awful language. But author John le Carre just recently made a case for learning German in this Guardian article.

But if a drink helps too, you may want to head to Aldi for their gin (only available in the UK). It is apparently not a bad choice at all as it has been recognised as one of the best in the world. Maybe a tonic from Fentiman’s in Hexham may go well together?

Enjoy your summer holidays, lots of BBQs, ice creams and chilled drinks!

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Dear Stammtisch Friends,

Next Monday, 15 May 2017 the Language Cafe at the Tyneside Cinema will host a joint French and German event, following the film Frantz. The film will start at around 6.15pm and there will be a discussion in French or German after the film. There are usually three groups, arranged by language level, so that everyone from beginners to fluent speakers can participate.

Also the Martin Luther Church in Shieldfield, Newcastle invites you again to their annual German Grillfest on Saturday, 24 June 2017. The event will start in the afternoon at 4pm and finish around 7pm. There is an entrance donation of £1 per person (children under 10 are free) in aid of the North of England Children’s Cancer Research Fund. To help the organisers plan ahead, please get tickets by either calling Oliver on07811 109 312, email him oliverheidrich@yahoo.com or simply turn up on the day.

If you’re still wondering what to do at the next bank holiday weekend, maybe the Northumberland Show at Bywell Hall near Stocksfield could just be up your street? On Monday, 29 May the finest livestock in the country is on show, there will be ‘bake off’ classes, Cumberland & Westmorland wrestling, a tug of war and Britains Strong Man Challenge Qualifier.

No day goes by and there is another ‘Brexit’ story in the papers and, of course, EU nationals are currently living a little bit in limbo. The German Embassy recently released some FAQs regarding Brexit and the impact on German nationals after the referendum, which you may find informative.

Here is also the lastest DIHK Brexit newsletter, which collates information on the latest events and news on this topic.

Also if somebody has recently taken on British citizienship or applies for the permanent residence status and are happy to share this with others, please let me know. I would also be interested in hearing from people who are planning to return to the EU and the challenges that brings.

However, if you are just planning your holidays, one quick piece of advice! Have a quick at your European Health Card, to make sure it is still valid as they expire and you have to renew them. The process is very simple via the NHS website and you should receive your new card promptly.

Honeywell have also shared information about new roles that have opened recently, both here in the North East and in Scotland. They are careers, requiring German in both Customer Service Administration and Technical Support:

Customer Service Administrator
Customer Care Specialist
Technical Support Specialist

Like many of you, I pick up German books when in the country and I can highly recommend these three – coincidentally, they all had as a common theme leaving a home and settling in a new country:

In ‘33 Bogen und ein Teehaus‘, author Mehrnousch Zaeri-Esfahani describes the journey she made as a 10-year old, when her family fled Iran via Turkey before they arrived first in East and then West Germany.

Dörte Hansen’s first novel ‘Altes Land‘ is based a bit closer to home. It follows the lives of two women – one makes a life for herself in Northern Germany after fleeing East Prussia as a child at the end of the war; another ‘escapes’ her life in Hamburg with her young son.

Bella Italia‘ is the first novel for author Daniel Speck, who already has a successful career as a script writer. The book is all about family, Italy (Sicily, Milan, Naples), Munich, cars, fashion, ‘Gastarbeiter’ and takes you on a journey through time, starting in the mid 1950s to today.

If you have books you would like to recommend to our Stammtisch group, then please forward this to me and I’m happy to share.

All the very best on this sunny day!

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Dear Stammtisch Friends

The fifth season has now come to an end and I assume you all enjoyed some ‘Krapfen’ or pancakes yesterday (fried, microwaved, or added to soup?).

So if you’re looking for some events in the next couple of weeks, here are some suggestions:

The last of the winter walks in Northumberland National Park will be this Sunday, 5th March between 10:30am and 3:30pm. This month’s 8 mile walk will focus on Tarsetdale and give you the chance to explore one of the lesser known areas of Northumberland National Park. This requires a reasonable level of fitness and starts in Greenhaugh just a few miles out from Bellingham. Click here to register.

InterNations Newcastle Group will then meet next week on Thursday, 9th March from 6pm in the Redhouse at Newcastle’s Quayside. To find out who’s going and register, simply go directly to the InterNations site.

Bernhard is also tempting you with with some Austrian cakes & coffee on Sunday, 12th March  from 2.30pm for another German Stammtisch in the Kaffeehaus Amadeus in Lanchester. Please RSVP him directly so he can make sure he’s got enough spaces as I think it’s always a very popular event. And Lanchester is also very nice for a little spring walk: servus@kaffeehaus-amadeus.co.uk.

Honeywell in Newcastle have also been in contact about vacancies for German speakers in both Newcastle and Motherwell. The customer services roles – such as a customer services administrator or a customer care specialist. Honeywell’s core businesses are Aerospace, Home and Building Technologies, Safety and Productivity Solutions, and Performance Materials and Technologies. If you would like to find out more about these opportunities at Honeywell, please contact Małgorzata Rdest directly by email and she will be able to provide you with a lot more information.

Another request has come in from Med con team GmbH, who provide global medical services and travel safety. They are a partner, for example, of TUI Cruises GmbH and AIDA Cruises and support passengers that have fallen ill.

If passengers need to leave at the Port of Tyne, they would like for German speakers to support them in such a case of need (for example with interpreting, organisation of a taxi or hotel, hospital visit etc). There is a day rate of around €80 (variable, dependent on intensity of the care) and on average requires around 1 1/2 hours per day. Med con team expect around 1 – 3 cases per year, but expect this to increase. If this is of interest to you, please contact Heike Dorn for further information.

Businesses in the North East are also asked to complete a short survey about EU support for business. This gives you also a chance to win a three course meal for FOUR at Finbarr’s, Durham with wine AND champagne.

Europe Direct North East England is undertaking this piece of work on behalf of the European Commission to share news about European Investment Bank funding initiatives for business. They will organise a half day seminar later in the year but a first step is to better understand knowledge of existing projects and programmes.

The prize will be awarded to the first name drawn on 17 March 2017. All respondents will be notified of the outcome by email and agree to Europe Direct forwarding further information about European Investment Bank funding opportunities. Recipients of news updates can unsubscribe from the mailing at any time.

The German Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DIHK) has just published its latest newsletter re Brexit. Click here for a copy of the German language newsletter..

And on the issue of Brexit – you all are probably aware that Jo Chexal is the Honorary German Consul here in the North East & Cumbria and assists German nationals with a number of different tasks, such as passport renewals. Obviously it is always important, but even more today to check that your current passport is still valid, even if you’re not planning to travel in the near future. When renewing your passport, you also need a number of key documents, such as your birth certificates. You then should allow between 6 to 8 weeks to receive your new German passport.

If you are thinking of applying for UK residence/citizenship, the British authorities insist that your German passport is in your married name (if that is what you go by). If you haven’t changed it yet, you need to do a married name declaration (under German law, if you were married after 1986). The married name declaration and new passport together can take around 4 to 6 months.

And while you are checking your passport, you may also want to check your UK driving licence. If you have a photo UK licence, they expire after 10 years (again check that you have your correct name & address on it). If you are driving on your German driving licence, the German Consulate website provides more information about legal requirements here in the UK and what you need to do.

Enjoy this lovely spring day & I look forward to seeing you soon!

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Dear Stammtisch Friends

It’s the time of the year again to dust off your Lederhosen and squeeze into your Dirndls. I’d like to invite you to join us at the Brandling Villa in Gosforth for their Oktoberfest on Thursday, 11 October from 6pmonwards. They’ve got a range of Oktoberfest beers already chilled for you and you’ll have a choice of various German dishes including sausages (Bratwurst, Weisswurst, Currywurst) to Schnitzel and Spaetzle. We were there two years ago and it does get very busy & hot – so be prepared!!! Let me know if you’re coming, so we can all watch out for each other on the night and conquer some tables.

If you can’t wait that long, West in Glasgow are also putting their 6th Oktoberfest. Every Friday, the ‘Bayrische Buam’ play traditional Oktoberfest music at the West beerhall from 7pm to 10pm, but as it’s popular you need to pre-book your table.

Thanks again to all of you that have filled in our travel survey. Newcastle Airport was obviously the key departure airport in the region, but Edinburgh was also popular for German connections. 100% of the respondees stated that they would like additional links to Germany and most popular was our capital Berlin, followed by Stuttgart, Munich and Frankfurt. So watch this space!

I’ve been contacted by language school International House here in Newcastle, who are organising voluntary international internships. Their students generally study Business English there prior to a placement where they can then enhance their skills and find out more about work life in Britain. They currently look for a placement for a 24-year old German graduate in communication studies, that is looking for a 8-week placement from Monday, 1 October. If anybody can accommodate this, please let me know and I’ll put you in touch with the relevant people at IH, who’ll forward you CV and further info. Thank you!

There’s a new free internet portal that may be of interest to you – www.deutsche-weltweit.de helps Germans abroad to find each other, share information etc.

And for any official business here in the region, you have to find Jo Chexal at the new German Honorary Consul’s offices, that are now located at Newcastle Civic Centre, Registrar’s Entrance, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8PS. Her email and telephone number have remained the same: newcastle-upon-tyne@hk-diplo.de / 0191 233 6317. 

There is a biometric machinery at the Honorary Consul’s office, so Jo can handle applications for biometric passports (including fingerprinting). However, you must ensure you make an appointment and bring along essential documents including originals or certified copies (beglaubigte Kopien) of birth certificates, marriage certificates etc. and copies of the deregistration certificate (Abmeldeschein). Photos are not the same as the British passport size. Robertsons of Gosforth, 202 High Street Gosforth, tel. 0191 2854652 can guarantee the right size as long as they are informed it is for a German passport. Also look out for other photographers that display a sign saying they can do German and other sizes (the specification is on the German Consulate/ Embassy website).

Jo can also stamp Lebensbescheinigungen for people who get a German pension, take applications for Namenserklaerung in der Ehe, Geburtsanzeigen, Unterschriftsbeglaubigung/ Identitaetsbeglaubigung, Erbschaftsausschlagung, Fuehrungszeugnisse, Beglaubigung von Uebersetzungen und Kopien, Genehmigungsvertraege for house sales in Germany.

And last, but not least – some more food recommendations.Siggi found Schwartau und Zentis Konfituere and Krombacher Bier in B&M Bargains in Bedford Street in North Shields, which apparently sells often German products. And as Lidl has given up on the rye bread, they’re now doing Brezn at least in the Battle Hill shop (somebody must be buying them as I’ve never yet managed to get any when I popped in!).

I look forward to seeing many of you on Thursday, 11 October for a great night out!

Warm regards

Manuela

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Dear Stammtisch Friends

I would like to invite you to our next Stammtisch, which will take place on Monday, 23 April at The Broad Chare in Newcastle. It would be great if you could come along and welcome nine Germans who will visit the region from Brandenburg. The Broad Chare is obviously a great venue for the best British food has to offer and they kindly agreed to have a German food option for our Stammtisch group. We will meet at 6.30pm in the bar, with dinner from 7pm onwards. The Broad Chare also has an excellent selection of local and German beers. I need to know who will come along so that we can reserve enough tables in the restaurant – so quick email would be great.

Thanks again to everybody for their food recommendations:

  • Toby discovered that the Lidl in Consett also has an in-store bakery and make there a fine Graubrot, which is apparently fresh and very delicious.
  • Here in Tynemouth, the Deli Around the Corner, now stock Doughwork’s Russian rye bread every Friday and Saturday.
  • Since October 2011, Edinburgh has its very own German restaurant – the Frankfurter Eck, which is run by Joseph and Kristian. I’ll be popping up there soon to try out, but if anybody has been, let us know. On a Sunday, the Frankfurter Eck have a Bavarian Sunday, with all the traditional dishes you’d expect.
  • And a German butcher/chef called Stefan Kölsch works at Donald Russel in Aberdeen, that deliver the finest meat – check out their online catalogue for further information.

German speakers are also in demand and we received a few job advertisements in the last few weeks:

  • The German Consulate General in Edinburgh is looking for a new team member for legal and consular matters in the passport and visa section. Click here for further details.
  • BBA Reman, which is based in Rochester is looking for a country manager based in Hamburg. Click here for the full job specification.
  • Recruitment firm Elliott Browne in Newcastle is also looking for German speaking staff. They’re a leading supplier of Microsoft Dynamic and Microsoft Sharepoint professionals.

I’ve also had two emails recently regarding Au Pairs. Christine Goodwin, who runs the Northumbria School of English in Whitley Bay, has joined forces with Fiona Stöber, a Newcastle born teacher that now lives in Germany, to offer an au pair programme for German au pairs and British families. The scheme will run during a 5-week period in July and August. For further information contact Christine on 0191 2525265 or email english.school@btconnect.com. Click here for full article on the North Tyneside Business Forum website.

Another Stammtisch member is also looking for an au-pair position for a 25-year old German here in the UK. Does anybody in our group have any experience or recommendations that I can pass on? She’s looking for a family with children that she can care for. Thanks!

The German Consulate General in Edinburgh is responsible not only for Scotland, but also German nationals based here in the North East of England. They’ve recently started a Facebook page which gives you an update on what’s happening in their region and Germany.

Some more dates that may be of interest to you:

The University of Newcastle is holding some German research talks on the following topics:

3 May Elizabeth Andersen (SML) Brigitta of Sweden and the Printing Houses of Lübeck

10 May Debbie Pinfold (Bristol) Conceptions of Childhood in the Literature of the GDR

The joint concert of the Northern English Singers and Gelsenkirchen’s Madrigalchor on Saturday, 9 June at 7.30pm at St James’ United Reform Church, Northumberland Road in Newcastle.

Newcastle City Council are currently organising two events as part of the ‘Newcastles of the World’ – these will be attended by 17 people from Neuburg-an-der-Donau. First there is a river boat tour on 24 July (tickets £25/head), which includes welcome drink, buffet and music. Two days later, on Thursday, 26 July a dinner will be held to launch the new ‘International Newcastle’ initiative. They expect around 300 people for dinner and an evening of music, with tickets costing £45 or tables £450. We’re thinking of joining at least one of the events with the Stammtisch and I just wanted to have some feedback from you what you think. Thank you!

Anyway, that’s all from me for today. I would like to wish you all a very Happy Easter and look forward to a catch up on 23 April.

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Many of you will have met Jo Chexal, who is the Honorary Consul for Germany and responsible for German nationals here in Tyne & Wear.

Since the introduction of the Biometric Passports, it was necessary to travel to either Edinburgh or London to get the new ones done. Now Jo has all the relevant equipment here and can now again process passport applications.

If you do require a new full passport, make sure that you leave plenty of time as it take up to 12 weeks to complete the application following your appointment (it takes less time for temporary passports and Kinderpaesse). Make sure you have all your documents ready before coming to see Jo (not photocopies – only originals or legalized copies) and complete but not sign the application forms in advance.

You have to have the right passport photographs – the nearest photographer to the Honorary Consulate office (Grainger Suite, Dobson House, Regent Centre, Gosforth, Newcastle, NE3 3PF), who works with the templates is Robertson’s of Gosforth at 202 High Street, Gosforth.

To make an appointment with Jo or to discuss your application, please call the consular number 0191 233 6317 between 10.00 and 16.30.

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